HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Manpower

Hugh Bayley: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, what the full-time equivalent number of staff (a) directly employed by the House of Commons Service and (b) employed by contractors to provide services to the House of Commons including the Police and the Post Office was in (i) 1987, (ii) 1992, (iii) 1997, (iv) 2001, (v) 2005 and (vi) 2010.

John Thurso: The numbers of full-time equivalent staff directly employed by the House of Commons in financial years 1992-93, 1997-98, 2001-02, 2005-06 and 2010-11 are as follows. Data are not available for 1987-88.
	
		
			 Financial year FTEs 
			 1992-93 1,285 
			 1997-98 1,397 
			 2001-02 1,399 
			 2005-06 1,428 
			 2010-11 1,564 
		
	
	The House does not hold information on the numbers of full-time equivalent staff employed by contractors that provide services to the House.
	The information provided excludes the Parliamentary Information and Communication Technology (PICT) department which was created in 2006.

Pay

Hugh Bayley: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many members of staff (a) directly employed by the House of Commons Service and (b) employed by contractors to provide services to the House of Commons, including the Police and the Post Office, were paid more in salaries, overtime and performance awards than a backbench hon. Member in (i) 1987, (ii) 1992, (iii) 1997, (iv) 2001, (v) 2005 and (vi) 2010.

John Thurso: The number of staff that were paid more in salaries, overtime and performance awards than a backbench hon. Member was 79 in financial year 2005-06 and 87 in financial year 2010-11. Detailed records for earlier years are no longer held. The House does not hold the equivalent information on staff employed by contractors.
	The information provided excludes the Parliamentary Information and Communication Technology (PICT) department which was created in 2006.

Pay

Hugh Bayley: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, how much was paid in total in salaries to (a) House of Commons Service staff and (b) staff employed by contractors to provide services to the House of Commons, including the Police and the Post Office (i) in cash terms and (ii) at constant prices in (A) 1987, (B) 1992, (C) 1997, (D) 2001, (E) 2005 and (F) 2010.

John Thurso: The total amounts paid in salaries to House of Commons staff in financial years 2001-02, 2005-06 and 2010-11 in cash terms and at constant prices are shown in the following table:
	
		
			 £ million 
			  2001-02 2005-06 2010-11 
			 Pay 36 44 57 
			 Pay (adjusted for RPI) 46 52 57 
		
	
	Resource accounts showing salary related details were introduced in 2001-02. The previous cash accounts do not provide this detail.
	The information provided excludes the Parliamentary Information and Communication Technology (PICT) department which was created in 2006.

PRIME MINISTER

Devolution: Wales

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Prime Minister what requests he received from (a) members of the Welsh Government and (b) the Secretary of State for Wales between 6 and 20 May 2011 for a meeting to discuss issues relating to Wales.

David Cameron: I spoke to the First Minister on his appointment to congratulate him and commit to regular communication with the Welsh Government about issues which affect the people of Wales. I will be discussing issues relating to Wales with the First Minister of Wales at the forthcoming Joint Ministerial Committee meeting. I have regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Wales, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs Gillan), about issues relating to Wales.

IRA

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will seek an expression of regret or apology from the Government of the Republic of Ireland for any part played by the Republic of Ireland in the arming and financing of the Provisional IRA.

David Cameron: It is for each state to account for its own actions. I and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, my right hon. Friend the Member for North Shropshire (Mr Paterson), continue to discuss with our Irish counterparts what positive role our Governments can play in dealing with Northern Ireland's troubled past.

DEFENCE

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel were serving (a) abroad and (b) in Afghanistan on (i) 6 May 2010 and (ii) 5 May 2011.

Nick Harvey: The precise number of personnel overseas fluctuates on a daily basis for a variety of reasons, including mid-tour rest and recuperation, temporary absence for training, evacuation for medical reasons, the roulement of forces, visits and a range of other factors. We do not, therefore, publish actual figures for personnel deployed.
	On 6 May 2010, there were around 13,750 military posts established overseas on operations and in April 2010, there were 25,350 military posts established overseas on other tasks. Therefore the total number of military posts established overseas was around 39,100, of which, 9,500 were in Afghanistan.
	On 5 May 2011, there were around 14,450 military posts established overseas on operations and in April 2011, there were 24,230 military posts established overseas on other standing tasks. Therefore the total number of military posts established overseas was around 38,680, of which, 9,500 were in Afghanistan. This figure excludes special forces.

Apache AH-64 Helicopter

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has plans to equip Apache helicopters with the Ground Fire Acquisition System.

Peter Luff: There are no current plans to equip our Apache helicopters with the US Ground Fire Acquisition System. The UK's need for such a system is being addressed as part of our wider defensive aids suite programme. We do not routinely provide details about the defensive aids used by the UK's military aircraft, as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.

Armed Forces: 2012 Olympics

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what assistance he is providing to members of the armed forces to qualify to compete in events in the London 2012 Olympics; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what assistance he is providing to (a) current and (b) former members of the armed forces to qualify to compete in events in the London 2012 Paralympics; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Robathan: In terms of participation in sporting events, all service personnel are treated the same be they able-bodied or disabled, and policies are in place to aid them in volunteering for sporting events, including applications for special paid and/or unpaid leave and taking part in representative sport. Financial assistance in the form of grants from non-public funds can also be awarded. A number of athletes are engaged in full-time training.
	Sport plays an important part in the development of the attributes required in service personnel and has a significant effect upon morale. It provides an inducement to physical fitness and contributes to military effectiveness by encouraging personal qualities such as courage, resilience and esprit de corps.
	Fulfilment of sporting expectations is also an important retention and recruitment factor. All members of the armed forces are therefore encouraged to participate in sport in the service.
	Assistance to former members of the armed forces to enable them to qualify for the London 2012 Paralympics is provided by their national governing body. This assistance can be supplemented by the Combined Services Adaptive Sports Association (Battle Back—Sport) when required, primarily in the form of grants from non-public funds.

Armed Forces: Absent Voting

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements his Department put in place to enable members of the armed forces serving overseas to vote by post before the May 2011 elections and referendum on the voting system; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of those arrangements.

Andrew Robathan: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Cabinet Office worked with the Electoral Commission, British Forces Post Office (BFPO) and Royal Mail to make specific provision for service personnel in Afghanistan to register to vote and use proxy or postal votes, 281 service personnel chose to use proxy votes, as recommended by the Electoral Commission and MOD. There were 61 new applications made to vote by post through this initiative and 40 completed ballots were returned through the dedicated system. No special services were provided for British Forces in Germany because service personnel there receive a direct daily service. In Cyprus, special arrangements were put in place to return ballot papers via RAF flights into Brize Norton and then subsequently as a priority despatch into the Royal Mail. For other overseas locations, BFPO identified and fast tracked ballot papers when under their control.
	The Electoral Commission will be completing a report on the conduct of the referendum and polls on 5 May 2011, and I understand the Commission plan to comment on this initiative in that report.

Armed Forces: Allowances

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria his Department uses to determine who is eligible for the operational allowance.

Andrew Robathan: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bridgend (Mrs Moon) on 9 May 2011, Official Report, columns 968-69W.

Armed Forces: Complaints

Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  whether he has considered the merits of introducing an Armed Forces Ombudsman;
	(2)  whether he has any plans to change the number of investigators in the Service Complaints System.

Andrew Robathan: Both of these ideas were raised in the recently published third report of the Service Complaints Commissioner, therefore, I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 5 May 2011, Official Report, column 869W.

Armed Forces: Dogs

Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) dogs and (b) horses are in the service of the armed forces.

Andrew Robathan: There are currently 610 military working dogs and 485 horses in service with the armed forces. There are a further 419 dogs in service with the Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency and other guarding organisations.

Armed Forces: Health Services

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many military wards there are in NHS hospitals; and in what year each opened.

Andrew Robathan: There is one designated military ward for military casualties aero-medically evacuated back to the UK which is located in the Queen Elizabeth hospital Birmingham (QEHB), opened in June 2010.
	We also have arrangements with five NHS trust hospitals for the hosting of Ministry of Defence hospital units (MDHUs) to facilitate continuing training, development and maintenance of clinical skills of military medical personnel.
	The locations of the MDHUs are as follows:
	Derriford hospital, Plymouth, opened in April 1995;
	Frimley Park general hospital, opened in July 1999;
	Friarage hospital, Northallerton, opened in July 1999;
	Queen Alexandra hospital, Portsmouth, opened in April 2005;
	Peterborough city hospital, opened in February 1996.

Armed Forces: Housing

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many service personnel have participated in the Armed Forces Home Ownership Scheme in each year since its introduction;
	(2)  what the budget for the Armed Forces Home Ownership Scheme (a) has been in each year since its introduction and (b) is for (i) 2011-12 and (ii) 2012-13.

Andrew Robathan: In January 2010 the Ministry of Defence launched the Armed Forces Home Ownership Scheme (Pilot) after working with the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to develop a pilot, bespoke, shared equity scheme for the armed forces. Some £5 million per year has been allocated with the pilot running until 2013.
	The scheme has proved popular with the target range of more junior personnel (those serving at least four years but no more than six). There have been over 1,000 eligible applicants in the first year, 165 of whom were financially assessed and actively sought properties. Of these 165, 83 have completed the purchase of a property.

Armed Forces: Housing

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what budget has been set for the armed forces (a) HomeBuy Direct, (b) New Build HomeBuy and (c) First Buy scheme for 2011-12; whether there is a budget for service personnel under each scheme; and whether each such budget is additional to the budget allocation for the Armed Forces Home Ownership Scheme.

Andrew Robathan: HomeBuy Direct, NewBuild HomeBuy and FirstBuy are demand-led schemes and as such there is no separate budget for armed forces personnel, but they will receive the highest priority for the schemes.

Armed Forces: Housing

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidance he plans to issue to local authorities on ensuring priority access for service personnel to (a) First Buy, (b) New Build HomeBuy and (c) HomeBuy Direct to service personnel.

Andrew Robathan: None. FirstBuy, shared ownership (NewBuild HomeBuy) and HomeBuy Direct are delivered through the Homes and Communities Agency which is sponsored by the Department for Communities and Local Government. The schemes are offered through a network of 15 local HomeBuy agents who provide a one-stop-shop for purchasers. HomeBuy agents are tasked with proactively targeting Government priority groups, including service personnel.

Armed Forces: Housing

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who is eligible for the armed forces (a) HomeBuy Direct, (b) New Build HomeBuy and (c) First Buy scheme.

Andrew Robathan: All service personnel, bereaved spouses within the first year of death and all service leavers within their first year of discharge are eligible for top priority under the schemes. They must also meet the schemes1 general criteria, such that they have a household income of less than the current maximum threshold of £60,000 and cannot afford to purchase a home without assistance.

Armed Forces: Housing

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of service personnel who will participate in the (a) HomeBuy Direct, (b) New Build HomeBuy and (c) First Buy scheme.

Andrew Robathan: No estimate has been made, but we will encourage all eligible personnel to consider these initiatives into home ownership.

Armed Forces: Ombudsman

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received on introducing an armed forces ombudsman.

Andrew Robathan: I have received no representations directly on introducing an armed forces ombudsman. However, this issue was raised in the recently published third report of the Service Complaints Commissioner. Our response to this will be placed in the Library of the House in due course.

Armed Forces: Schools

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) service children and (b) children of reservists are being educated in state schools.

Andrew Robathan: The annual schools census was conducted on 20 January 2011. It identified that there are around 36,000 service children currently recorded in England. There is no mechanism to identify how many children of reservists are being educated in state schools.

Armed Forces: Young People

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 27 April 2011, Official Report, column 417W, on armed forces: young people 
	(1)  how many and what proportion of armed service personnel who were recruited before their 18th birthday and were discharged from the armed services have gained (a) an AS or A Level, (b) a BTEC, (c) a Higher National Certificate, (d) a Higher National Diploma,  (e) a national vocational qualification and (f) any other recognised qualification while serving in the last five years’
	(2)  how many and what proportion of armed service personnel who were recruited before their 18th birthday were discharged from the armed services having gained a recognised vocational qualification while serving in each of the last five years.

Andrew Robathan: This information is not held in the format requested and could be produced only at disproportionate cost. However, statistics are available on the number of personnel under 18 who registered for an apprenticeship and, separately, on the total number and range of qualifications achieved by armed forces personnel generally in the last five years. This is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Number of personnel under 18 when registered for an apprenticeship 
			  2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 
			 Naval Services 854 577 740 624 585 
			 Army 1,804 2,338 1,560 1,818 1,659 
			 RAF 1,492 1,151 784 653 615 
		
	
	The qualifications presented in the following table are expressed in accordance with the National Qualification Credits Framework:
	
		
			  Financial year 
			 Type of qualification 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 
			 Military apprenticeships (Level (L) 2 and 3) 8,015 7,299 6,670 L2: 7,977 L2: 9,874 
			     L3: 1,570 L3: 2,065 
			 Stand alone NVQ and other L2 10,895 7,592 5,725 9,971 13,282 
			 Stand alone NVQ and other L3 1,148 1,758 5,018 6,538 6,813 
			 Stand alone NVQ and other L4 418 266 1,225 2,251 2,670 
			 HND (L5) 140 238 185 (1)4,517 (1)4,774 
			 Foundation degrees (L5) 541 502 435 (1)— (1)— 
			 Other L5 337 436 1,772 (1)— (1)— 
			 Honours degrees (L6) 81 185 146 (1)1,163 (1)543 
			 Other L6 — 27 123 (1)— (1)— 
			 Postgraduate degrees/diploma and higher degrees 136 168 353 983 596 
			 (1) Indicates brace Note: The format for the collection of Accreditation Statistics was changed for FY 2008-09 onwards to show levels of accreditation only.

Armed Forces: Young People

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 3 May 2011, Official Report, column 675W, on armed forces: young people, 
	(1)  if his Department will commission (a) internal or (b) external legal advice on the recruitment of those under the age of 18 into the armed services in light of recent developments in child welfare and protection;
	(2)  if he will commission advice on the legality of recruitment of those under the age of 18 to the armed forces.

Andrew Robathan: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has no need nor intention to commission external legal advice on the recruitment of under-18s into the armed forces. The MOD takes advice from its own legal advisers on issues relating to the recruitment of under-18s as the requirement arises. That legal advice is confidential and will not be disclosed. We are satisfied that our policies on under-18s in service are robust and comply with national and international law. In addition to the comprehensive welfare system that is in place for all service personnel, we remain fully committed to meeting our obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict, and have taken steps to introduce special safeguards on young people under the age of 18. An example is our recent announcement that for those under the age of 18, the ability to be discharged will in future be a right up to the age of 18, subject to an appropriate period of consideration or cooling off.

Armed Forces: Young People

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 3 May 2011, Official Report, column 675W, on armed forces: young people, in what year his Department last received (a) internal and (b) external legal advice on the recruitment of those under the age of 18 years into the armed services.

Andrew Robathan: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 3 May 2011, Official Report, column 675W. It is not possible to ascertain without incurring disproportionate costs what external legal advice was ever received by the Ministry of Defence or its predecessors. However, internal legal advice on this issue constitutes part of normal policy development work within the Department, which is an ongoing process.

Ascension Island: Airports

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the contribution to British military interests of the airport on Ascension Island; what assessment he has made of the potential for the provision of military support to the South Atlantic from an airport on the island of St Helena; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: The military airfield on Ascension Island makes a vital contribution to the mission of British Forces South Atlantic Islands as the refuelling stop for the South Atlantic Airbridge and other RAF traffic between the UK and Falkland Islands.
	Ascension Island is approximately equidistant from the UK and the Falkland Islands, and the shortest possible route by air; its runway is suitable for all military air traffic which can fly the required range. Plans for an airport on St Helena do not alter these considerations.

Ballistic Missile Defence

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether RAF Menwith Hill is playing an operational role in US ballistic missile defence.

Nick Harvey: The only role RAF Menwith Hill plays in US ballistic missile defence is to route satellite early warning data to the US ballistic missile defence command and control system.

Defence Exports Support Group

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 1 December 2010, Official Report, column 817W, on the Defence Exports Group, what the terms of reference are of the Defence Exports Support Group; on which dates it has met; and who attended each meeting.

Liam Fox: The terms of reference for the Defence Exports Support Group (DESG) were agreed at its first meeting on 16 December 2010. They are:
	Defence Exports Support Group (DESG): Terms of Reference
	The DESG is the forum through which Ministers will plan and focus their support to UK defence exports.
	The core DESG membership is:
	Secretary of State for Defence
	Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology
	Minister for International Security Strategy
	Head, Defence and Security Organisation, UK Trade and Investment (UKTI)
	Other Ministers and/or senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Home Office, and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills may attend as appropriate.
	The DESG will meet quarterly or as appropriate for business needs.
	The first meeting was attended by the Minister for International Security Strategy, Minister for Defence Equipment Support and Technology, Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Minister of State for Business and Enterprise, and Head of UKTI Defence and Security Organisation. In addition to these core members the Chief of Defence Material, Director General Defence Commercial and Director International Acquisition Policy attended from the Ministry of Defence.

Departmental Charitable Donations

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to encourage charitable giving by Ministers in his Department.

Liam Fox: All Government Ministers have pledged to undertake a ‘one day challenge’ with a charity or community group of their choice. This is a clear and public commitment by Ministers to give their time to help others. The pledge aims to inspire others to consider how they might be able to support their communities to benefit themselves, as well as their chosen organisations.

Departmental Data Protection

Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many contracts his Department holds which allow contractors to store personal data of UK citizens overseas; to which contracts this applies; in which countries the data for each such contract is held; and how many people have their data stored overseas under each such contract.

Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence holds eight contracts where personal data of UK citizens is held overseas. The following table provides the name of the contract, the country in which the data are held and the approximate number of records stored.
	
		
			 Contract Country in which data are held Approximate number of personal records held 
			 Defence Travel Electronic Booking Information System France 180,000 
			  USA 20,000 
			 Defence Travel: Travel Management Contract USA 310,000 
			 Royal Navy Community Website USA 18,000 
			 e-bluey—hybrid system for the exchange of mail between Service personnel and family and friends USA 33,962 
			 Air Movements Information System (AMIS) Germany (1)10,000 
			 Remote Access Movements Portal (RAMP) USA(2) (3)100,000 
			 iNCS (Interim New Clothing Solution) Canada 6,867 
			 (1) Per month. Records are deleted 24 hours plus one minute after final sector of flight is completed. (2) Department of Transport (3) Per annum. Records are deleted after seven days 
		
	
	Fitlinxx, which provides fitness training programmes for service personnel, also hold a contract that allows for personal data of UK citizens to be held in the US. I will write to the hon. Member with details of the number of records held once this information is available, and place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.
	Substantive answer from Peter Luff to Eric Ollerenshaw:
	Further to my answer to your Parliamentary Question on 24 May 2011 (Official Report, column 531W-532W), I am writing to inform you the Fitlinxx contract involves the storage of 6,000 personal records in the USA.
	I hope this is helpful.
	I have placed a copy of this letter in the Library of the House.

Departmental Land

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what land his Department proposes to sell in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14 and (d) 2014-15.

Andrew Robathan: The Ministry of Defence keeps its estate under constant review to meet present and planned future requirements, with a view to disposing of surplus assets as quickly as possible. A list of the sites in the present programme and those earmarked for future disposal has been placed in the Library of the House.
	Work is under way to identify additional estate rationalisation opportunities in accordance with the Strategic Defence and Security Review.

Departmental Land

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 28 April 2011, Official Report, column 568W, on departmental land, when he plans to place in the Library a copy of the list of land sold by his Department in 2010-11.

Andrew Robathan: A copy of the list of land sold by this Department in 2010-11 has been placed in the Library of the House.

Departmental Manpower

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to publish monthly information on changes in the numbers of his Department's employees categorised by (a) seniority, (b) number of employees taking voluntary redundancy, (c) natural wastage and (d) involuntary redundancy.

Andrew Robathan: The Government are committed to transparency and the availability of data and is currently exploring options for the more frequent publication of this type of workforce management information across the civil service.
	Ministry of Defence (MOD) Defence Analytical Services and Advice (DASA) already publish periodic reports on MOD personnel numbers on its internet site at:
	www.dasa.mod.uk
	The UK Armed Forces Quarterly Manning Report sets out the number of personnel leaving the armed forces broken down by reason. A copy of the latest version of the report has been placed in the Library of the House.
	The DASA site also contains the civilian personnel statistics quarterly return. Although this report does not currently contain all the information requested for civilian employees, its content has recently been reviewed and changes will be introduced for future editions. Those changes will include numbers leaving the civil service and the reasons for doing so.

Departmental Official Visits

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what official visits Ministers in his Department have undertaken since their appointment; and what the purpose was of each such visit.

Liam Fox: Ministers are routinely required to undertake formal visits, both in the UK and overseas, as part of their ministerial responsibilities.
	Accordingly, Ministers have undertaken formal visits since their appointments, details of which have been placed in the Library of the House.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the result was of the inquiry into the unauthorised disclosure to the Prime Minister in September 2010 of his letter on reductions to his Department’s budget; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Fox: The investigation remains open. I am not prepared to comment further.

Departmental Responsibilities

Gemma Doyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what engagements he has undertaken in (a) the UK and (b) overseas in the last three months.

Liam Fox: Details of my overseas travel, received hospitality and meetings with organisations external to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) are published on a quarterly basis on the MOD website as part of the Government’s Transparency Agenda, at the following address:
	http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/FinancialReports/Expenses/MinistersHospitalityReceived.htm
	The information regarding my engagements in the UK for the last three months is currently being collated and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available.
	Substantive answer from Liam Fox to Gemma Doyle:
	I write in reply to your written parliamentary question:
	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what engagements he has undertaken in (a) the UK and (b) overseas in the last three months.
	I answered at the time that details of my overseas travel, received hospitality, and meetings with organisations external to the Ministry of Defence are published on a quarterly basis on the Ministry of Defence website as part of the Government's Transparency Agenda, and that I would write to you with details of my UK engagements.
	A full list of my UK engagements has now been collated and is tabled as follows.
	For the purposes of this question 'engagements in the UK' has been defined as meetings outside of the Ministry of Defence not including dinners, speeches, or receptions.
	
		
			 Date Place Meeting 
			 2010   
			 November   
			 2 London UK/France Summit 
			 3 London UKTI Symposium 
			 4 London SDSR Debate 
			 8 London Defence oral questions 
			 8 London The British Torch of Remembrance Service 
			 9 RAF Cranwell Address to service personnel 
			 9 London Address to the Spectator Conference 
			 11 London Cenotaph Service of Remembrance 
			 11 London Royal British Legion Poppy Ball 
			 16 London Address to the Rifles Club 
			 17 Taunton 40 Commando Home Coming parade 
			 17 London Defence Council Reception 
			 28 to 29 HMNB Clyde, Scotland Operational briefing 
			    
			 December   
			 1 HMS Collingwood Address to service personnel 
			 6 York 4 Mechanised Brigade Thanksgiving Service 
			 7 London Meeting with the Japanese Ambassador 
			 8 RCDM Birmingham Meet injured service personnel and medical staff 
			 9 London BBC Question Time 
			 10 GCHQ Cheltenham Operational briefing 
			 13 London Defence oral questions 
			 15 London HCDC Evidence Session 
			 15 London Sun Military Awards 
			 16 London Nordic/Baltic Lunch 
			    
			 2011   
			 January   
			 10 London CPS Policy Forum Speech 
			 10 London 2nd Reading Armed Forces Bill 
			 12 London Armed Forces Pay Review Board 
			 27 Salisbury 3 Commando Brigade Media Day 
			    
			 February   
			 1 London Meeting with US CentCom Commander 
			 3 London House of Lords EU Committee

DM Beith

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what plans his Department has for the future ownership of DM Beith;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the long-term strategic requirement for DM Beith;
	(3)  if he will reinstate a revised apprentice training programme at DM Beith;
	(4)  if he will assess the likely effects on DM Beith of his Department's Voluntary Early Release Scheme.

Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence will continue to require the maintenance, storage and distribution functions at Defence Munitions Beith in the near to medium term, but is continuing to assess possible options for the depot in the longer term. The future ownership of Beith will depend on the outcome of this work, which is taking into account our strategic requirement, value for money, and the linkage with associated industrial strategies, including the team complex weapons initiative. No decisions have yet been taken. The trade unions will be consulted formally at the appropriate time.
	There are currently no plans to re-instate the apprentice training scheme at Beith. Any re-instatement would depend on the Department's business needs in the longer term and would take account of the decisions on the future operation of the depot.
	The Ministry of Defence's Voluntary Early Release Scheme (VERS) closed on 31 March 2011. Applications under the scheme are still under consideration across the Department and, as a result, I cannot comment specifically on the position with respect to Beith. However, as my right hon. Friend the Minister for Defence Personnel Welfare and Veterans (Mr Robathan) stated in the answer given on 26 April 2011, Official Report, column 70W, to the right hon. Member for East Renfrewshire (Mr Murphy), when introducing the VERS we recognised the need to implement it in such a way as to retain critical skills. Location is also a factor in selecting individuals for release.

HMS Ark Royal

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the total cost to his Department of the operation of HMS Ark Royal in 2010.

Nick Harvey: Operating costs are accounted for by financial year (FY). The operating costs for HMS Ark Royal for FY 2010-11 totalled £35 million, this includes pay and allowances, fuel, stock, and port fees.

Libya: Armed Conflict

Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what the average weekly accommodation cost for personnel deployed in Italy to participate in Operation Ellamy has been since the start of the operation;
	(2)  what the average weekly cost for all UK armed forces operations from Gioia del Colle air base has been since the commencement of military operations; and how much has been spent per week on (a) personnel accommodation, (b) personal allowances, (c) fuel, (d) rent and (e) each other cost.

Nick Harvey: I expect the cost of the UK’s involvement in NATO operations over Libya to be modest in comparison to other operations such as Afghanistan. While it is still too early to give a robust estimate of the final costs, I can provide initial indications of average accommodation, allowances, munitions and fuel costs.
	We maintain a small presence in Naples and Poggio but the majority of the UK personnel in Italy are based at Gioia Del Colle air base and Trapani naval base. The average weekly total cost of accommodation at Gioia Del Colle, Trapani and Poggio is around £240,000, £33,000 and £12,000 respectively.
	There are two types of personal allowance paid to service personnel in Italy. Longer separation allowance (LSA) is paid on an accrual basis for military personnel separated from their families and will continue to be paid for the duration of the operation. The total cost of LSA in Italy is around £120,000 per week.
	Local overseas allowance (LOA) is paid for personnel on operations before a complete welfare package has been set up as is currently the case in Poggio and Naples. The total cost of LOA in Italy is around £11,000 per week.
	The gross book value (inclusive of VAT) of precision guided weapons fired in support of Operation Ellamy between 19 March and 8 May this year was around £6 million per week. Where there is sufficient contingency within current stock holdings to meet anticipated requirements for current and contingent operations, the Ministry of Defence does not intend to replenish all stocks of weapons deployed. We therefore cannot say at this stage how much of this sum will contribute to the charge against the Government Special Reserve.
	Aviation fuel costs average around £300,000 per week, although they vary significantly week by week.

Libya: Armed Conflict

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Brimstone missiles used as part of Operation Ellamy are to be replaced.

Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence is planning to replenish stocks of the dual mode seeker Brimstone missiles as a result of their use in Operation Ellamy. In the meantime, there are sufficient stockholdings to meet anticipated demand for operations.

Libya: Armed Conflict

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the purchase cost of each Brimstone missile is.

Peter Luff: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 May 2011, Official Report, columns 111-12W, to the hon. Member for Ochil and South Perthshire (Gordon Banks).

Military Aircraft

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the mission accomplished rate was in Afghanistan for the (a) Tornado GR4 and (b) Harrier GR9 in the latest period for which figures are available.

Nick Harvey: 'Mission accomplished' is not a term employed in mission reports as whether the desired effect of a given sortie has been achieved may not often be immediately apparent—for instance, if the aircraft had attacked a target, further analysis may be necessary to determine the extent of the resulting damage. Aircraft may also fulfil other tasks, for instance reconnaissance or deterrence, and indeed conduct multiple tasks on the same mission, further complicating the assessment of the results of an individual sortie. Therefore there is no common definition of a mission accomplished rate and this information is not held.

Military Alliances

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with which countries the UK has signed a (a) defence treaty, (b) formal agreement, (c) Memorandum of Understanding and (d) Letter of Intent in each of the last 10 years.

Nick Harvey: The following lists set out countries with which the UK has signed defence treaties, formal agreements and bilateral memorandums of understanding for each year from 2001 to 2010 inclusive:
	Defence treaties and formal agreements
	2001
	Russian federation
	2002
	Japan
	Russian Federation
	United States of America
	2 003
	France
	Germany
	Russian Federation
	2004
	Russian Federation
	United States of America
	2005
	Belgium
	France
	Germany
	Italy
	United States of America
	2006
	Canada
	The Netherlands
	Poland
	2007
	France
	The Netherlands
	United States of America
	2008
	France
	Japan
	2009
	Iraq
	Japan
	Republic of Korea
	Spain
	2010
	Brazil
	France
	No distinction is made between treaties and formal agreements, which are both regarded as legally binding. Records of all treaties and formal agreements signed by the United Kingdom are held by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Treaty section.
	Signed bilateral Defence Memoranda of Understanding:
	2001
	Argentina
	Australia
	Bulgaria
	Canada
	Czech Republic
	Denmark
	Egypt
	Finland
	France
	Germany
	Greece
	India
	Italy
	Latvia
	The Netherlands
	New Zealand
	Nigeria
	Norway
	Portugal
	Russian Federation
	Serbia and Montenegro
	Sierra Leone
	Slovenia
	South Africa
	Spain
	Switzerland
	Ukraine
	United States of America
	2002
	Australia
	Brunei
	Canada
	Chile
	Croatia
	Czech Republic
	Denmark
	Estonia
	Germany
	Hungary
	Ireland
	Jamaica
	Jordan
	The Netherlands
	Norway
	Poland
	Serbia and Montenegro
	Sweden
	Switzerland
	Thailand
	Turkmenistan
	Ukraine
	United States of America
	2003
	Albania
	Australia
	Belgium
	Bosnia and Herzegovina
	Canada
	Chile
	People's Republic of China
	Denmark
	Georgia
	Germany
	Italy
	Jordan
	Kazakhstan
	Lithuania
	The Netherlands
	New Zealand
	Russian Federation
	Serbia and Montenegro
	Singapore
	Slovenia
	South Africa
	Switzerland
	United States of America
	Uzbekistan
	2004
	Armenia
	Australia
	Azerbaijan
	Belize
	Bulgaria
	Canada
	Chile
	Czech Republic
	Estonia
	France
	Georgia
	Germany
	Hungary
	Italy
	Japan
	Kazakhstan
	Latvia
	Libya
	Moldova
	The Netherlands
	New Zealand
	Poland
	Romania
	Russian Federation
	Serbia and Montenegro
	Singapore
	Slovak Republic
	Slovenia
	South Africa
	Sweden
	Switzerland
	Tajikistan
	Ukraine
	United States of America
	Uzbekistan
	2005
	Afghanistan
	Australia
	Austria
	Bulgaria
	Canada
	Czech Republic
	Denmark
	Finland
	Lithuania
	The Netherlands
	Norway
	Pakistan
	Qatar
	Romania
	Senegal
	South Africa
	Switzerland
	The Gambia
	Turkey
	United States of America
	2006
	Australia
	Austria
	Brunei
	Canada
	Croatia
	Denmark
	Estonia
	Israel
	Japan
	Kazakhstan
	Kenya
	Lebanon
	Lithuania
	The Netherlands
	New Zealand
	Norway
	Qatar
	Singapore
	South Africa
	Spain
	Sweden
	United States of America
	2007
	Albania
	Australia
	Bulgaria
	Canada
	Colombia
	Curacao
	Czech Republic
	Egypt
	Finland
	France
	Germany
	Hungary
	Kuwait
	Lebanon
	Libya
	Lithuania
	Former Yugoslav Republic of
	Macedonia
	Malawi
	The Netherlands
	Pakistan
	Saudi Arabia
	South Africa
	United States of America
	2008
	Australia
	Republic of Congo
	Denmark
	Estonia
	Germany
	Italy
	Jordan
	The Netherlands
	Nigeria
	Norway
	Qatar
	Rwanda
	Senegal
	Slovenia
	South Africa
	Sweden
	United States of America
	2009
	Algeria
	Australia
	Bosnia and Herzegovina
	Brunei
	Canada
	Cape Verde Islands
	Croatia
	Denmark
	Egypt
	Estonia
	Ethiopia
	Germany
	India
	Italy
	Japan
	Republic of Kosovo
	Libya
	Liechtenstein
	The Netherlands
	New Zealand
	Romania
	Serbia
	Spain
	Turkey
	Ukraine
	United States of America
	2010
	Canada
	Ethiopia
	Finland
	Iraq
	Japan
	Jordan
	Kenya
	New Zealand
	The Netherlands
	Portugal
	Qatar
	Tonga
	Uganda
	Ukraine
	United States of America
	More than one Memorandum of Understanding was signed with some countries in a year.
	Letters of Intent were signed with France in 2003, 2007 and 2010. However, more complete records of Letters of Intent signed by the UK with other countries in the last 10 years are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Military Bases

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 15 November 2010, Official Report, column 562W, on military bases, who carried out the assessment of the local economic impact of RAF Menwith Hill; and what methodology was used.

Nick Harvey: The local economic impact assessment of RAF Menwith Hill was carried out by the US authorities, and included the salaries of US and UK personnel as well as the cost of construction projects, utilities, local supply purchases, and visitor lodging, meals and incidentals.

Military Police: Deployment

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence at which sites Ministry of Defence Police are deployed; and what the responsibilities are of the personnel at each site.

Andrew Robathan: The Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) are the UK's only truly national police force, covering the four constituent parts of the country. The force's main responsibilities are to protect the personnel, resources and property of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) through the use of a variety of policing methods. These include community policing, armed guarding, specialist firearms units, nuclear escorts on land and sea, operational support units, the UK's largest marine policing capability, public order policing, criminal investigation including fraud and intelligence.
	The use of the above functions varies from site to site in accordance with local requirements and the associated risk/threat. Sites covered include selected naval bases, garrisons, Atomic Weapons Establishments, US Visiting Forces sites, and non-MOD locations.
	MDP officers may also volunteer for overseas duties in support of UK missions. They provide specialist training, support, monitoring and mentoring to local law enforcement and government agencies.
	Stations by Division (Excluding CID and Defence Community Police Officers)
	Scotland
	1. Clyde
	2. Clyde Marine Unit
	3. Coulport
	4. Beith
	5. Crombie
	6. Glen Douglas
	7. Aberdeen Gas Compressor Site
	8. St Fergus
	9. Caledonia
	10. Vulcan
	North-East
	1. Alconbury
	2. Croughton
	3. Fylingdales
	4. Menwith Hill
	5. Mildenhall
	6. Easington
	7. Bacton
	8. MDPHQ Operational Detachment (Under Command of Operational Support MDPHQ)
	AWE
	1. Aldermaston
	2. Burghfield
	3. Special Escort Group
	South-East
	1. Beaconsfield
	2. Bicester
	3. Bordon
	4. Fort Halstead
	5. Fort Blockhouse
	6. Gosport
	7. Marchwood
	8. Oakhanger
	9. Portsmouth
	10. Regents Park
	11. Shrivenham
	12. Whitehall
	Western
	1. Abbey Wood
	2. Boscombe Down
	3. Corsham
	4. Culdrose
	5. Dartmouth
	6. Devonport
	7. Donnington
	8. Fairford
	9. Hereford
	10. Kineton
	11. Llantrisant
	12. Porton Down
	13. Winterbourne Gunner
	14. Yeovilton
	Criminal Investigation Departments (CID)
	1. Rosyth (based at HMS Caledonia)
	2. Glasgow
	3. Clyde
	4. Northern Ireland (Palace Barracks)
	5. Catterick Garrison
	6. York (Imphal Barracks)
	7. Stafford
	8. St. Athan
	9. Bicester
	10. Northolt
	11. Aldermaston
	12. Foxhill
	13. Larkhill
	14. Portsmouth
	15. Gosport
	16. Bordon
	17. Devonport
	18. Aldershot Garrison
	Defence Community Police Officers by Division
	Scotland
	1. Aldergrove
	2. Abercorn Barracks (Ballykinler)
	3. Churchill Estate (Clyde)
	4. Condor
	5. Edinburgh
	6. Inverness
	7. Glencorse Barracks
	8. Palace Barracks
	North-East
	1. Albemarle Barracks
	2. Bassingbourn Barracks
	3. Chester
	4. Colchester
	5. Coningsby
	6. Croughton
	7. Harrogate
	8. Mildenhall
	9. Leconfield
	10. Leeming
	11. Menwith Hill
	12. Preston
	13. Wattisham
	14. Wittering
	15. York
	South-East
	1. Aldershot
	2. Andover
	3. Arborfield
	4. Benson
	5. Bicester
	6. Brize Norton
	7. Chatham
	8. Deepcut
	9. Halton
	10. London
	11. Marchwood
	12. Sandhurst
	13. Shorncliffe
	14. Winchester
	Western
	1. Abbey Wood
	2. Blandford
	3. Bovington
	4. Bramcote
	5. Brecon
	6. Bulford
	7. Corsham
	8. Devonport
	9. Donnington
	10. Hereford
	11. Innsworth
	12. Larkhill
	13. Lichfield
	14. Lyneham
	15. Poole
	16. Raleigh
	17. St. Athan
	18. Salisbury Plain
	19. Stafford
	20. Tidworth
	21. Tern Hill
	22. Yeovilton
	23. Valley
	24. Warminster
	25. Wilton

Military Targets

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what definition of the words (a) infrastructure and (b) command and control his Department uses when using such terms to describe military targets.

Nick Harvey: The Ministry of Defence does not use its own definition of ‘infrastructure’ and ‘military command and control’ to describe military targets. In both cases, The Oxford English Dictionary provides a reasonable definition for military purposes.
	‘Infrastructure’ is ‘...the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (e.g. buildings, roads, power supplies) needed for the operation of a(n) ... enterprise’. In this case, the ‘enterprise’ would be armed forces and any building or facilities that are dedicated to their use, or otherwise involved in directly enabling their operations, might be considered a legitimate target.
	‘Command and control’ is defined as ‘...the running of an armed force or other organization’. Therefore any structure or capability that is involved in, or enables, the direction of armed forces might be considered as a command and control target.

Navy: Catering

Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average daily cost to the public purse for food and drink for serving members of the Royal Navy at each rank on active service was in the latest period for which figures are available.

Andrew Robathan: For Royal Navy (RN), Royal Marines (RM) and Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) personnel deployed at sea in the surface and sub-surface fleets, daily messing rates (DMR) are applied. DMRs are the cost of ingredients based upon bespoke ration scales; the rates are adjusted quarterly to reflect food cost inflation. DMRs cover the cost of providing ingredients for three meals a day including beverages, but exclude the cost of logistics or food preparation.
	The current minimum DMR for personnel at sea is £2.46. All ranks receive the same rate, but the DMR is adjusted according to the number of personnel in the ship's company, and its role, which can raise the total DMR to a maximum of £3.36 per person per day.
	The cost of food for RN, RM and RFA personnel deployed at sea in financial year 2010-11 was £15.9 million, an average daily cost of £43,560.

Public Expenditure: DFID

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he plans to establish an inquiry into the unauthorised disclosure of his letter to the Prime Minister concerning the budget for the Department for International Development; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Fox: Internal action has been taken following allegations in the media. I am not prepared to comment further.

Space Technology: Surveillance

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the GEO-1 satellite will provide data to RAF Menwith Hill.

Nick Harvey: RAF Menwith Hill acts purely as a communications relay for GEO-1 satellite data. The data are not utilised on site.

St Helena: Airports

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make arrangements to provide extra passenger capacity on military flights between the UK and the Falkland Islands to assist personnel engaged in the construction of an airport on the island of St Helena to disembark on Ascension Island for onward sea connection; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: We make provision for civilian seating and freight capacity on the South Atlantic Airbridge which operates from the UK, via Ascension Island, to the Falkland Islands in support of British Forces South Atlantic Islands.
	We would expect in due course to accommodate any requirement relating to the construction of an airport on St Helena within this provision.

Third Sector

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department provided to each charity it funds in each of the last five years; and how much he has allocated for funding to each such charity in each of the next five years.

Andrew Robathan: Funding provided through grants in aid to the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in each of the last five years for which figures are currently available is shown in the following table. A grant in aid is typically used to fund part or all of the administration costs of the recipient body.
	
		
			 Grant in aid 
			 £ 
			 Body 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 
			 RAF Museum 7,104,192 6,774,110 7,019,000 7,989,309 7,367,000 
			 RAF Sports Control Board 83,000 — 65,865 149,837 288,387 
			 Air Training Corps (1)— 33,005 34,000 34,850 35,721 
			 RAF Sports Board (1)— 165,923 — — — 
			 Royal British Legion Polish Ex-Servicemen (1)— 81,567 141,000 120,000 110,181 
			 Royal British Legion War Widows (1)— 65,665 61,000 61,000 62,220 
			 National Memorial Arboretum (1)— 250,000 — 371,296 169,594 
			 Skill Force 3,002,000 2,502,000 1,000,000 500,000 250,000 
			 Victoria and George Cross Reunion Association (1)— 30,000 — 40,000 — 
			 Commonwealth War Graves Commission 31,643,000 32,392,094 34,199,339 36,601,286 47,844,871 
			 Scott Polar Research Institute 35,000 35,000 35,000 35,000 35,000 
			 Armed Forces Memorial (1)— — 189,220 — 290,469 
			 National Army Museum 4,871,546 5,292,879 5,489,000 5,734,850 5,515,222 
			 Army Sports Control Board 404,000 307,245 417,195 434,032 425,744 
			 Council of Voluntary Welfare Work (1)— 125,469 80,448 85,273 77,793 
			 Gurkha Welfare Trust (1)— 679,010 988,000 1,077,000 938,000 
			 Army Families Federation (1)— 291,444 293,190 300,093 332,100 
			 Council of the Reserve Forces and Cadets Associations — — 57,489,076 59,369,448 63,490,300 
			 Royal Irish Home Service Benevolent Fund — — — — 124,179 
			 Royal Hospital Chelsea 9,207,000 9,232,000 9,554,000 10,487,000 10,824,000 
			 Fleet Air Arm Museum 579,063 593,724 614,000 631,000 (2)— 
			 Royal Marine Museum 783,252 740,788 765,480 783,000 (2)— 
			 Royal Navy Museum 1,025,044 895,502 873,000 1,045,000 (2)— 
			 RN Submarine Museum 548,317 561,997 575,708 591,000 (2)— 
			 National Museum of the Royal Navy — — — — 3,237,466 
			 Naval Families Federation (1)— 149,220 92,620 185,000 223,000 
			 Royal Navy Marine Society and Sea Cadets — 8,228,969 9,300,419 8,941,426 9,450,215 
			 RN Sports Board 117,000 272,907 — — — 
			 (1) Not available. (2) Funded through the National Museum of the Royal Navy. 
		
	
	We also provide funding to charities through grants (for specific purposes) and commercial contractual arrangements (for specific services). A breakdown of the expenditure incurred could be provided only at disproportionate cost as these funding mechanisms are delegated locally and we do not currently identify discretely those grants and contracts which relate to charities. Details of all new central Government contracts are, however, now available online at:
	www.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk
	I will write to the hon. Member to provide information on grant in aid funding for 2010-11, and on currently planned funding over the spending review period (up to 2014-15), once the details have been finalised for all bodies, which should be before the Whitsun recess.
	I apologise for the delay in answering this question.
	Substantive answer from Andrew Robathan to Chris Ruane:
	I undertook to write to you in response to your Parliamentary Question (Official Report of 9 May 2011, columns 974 to 976W) to provide the balance of information on the funding of charities by the Ministry of Defence (MOD).
	The provisional outturn for 2010-11 and our current funding plans over the Spending Review period are shown for each body in the following table:
	
		
			 Body Grant in aid (£) 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 
			 RAF Museum 7,552,000 7,700,000 7,900,000 8,100,000 8,300,00 
			 Air Training Corps 36,614 37,155 38,083 39,036 40,012 
			 RAF Sports Board 264,834 271,455 278,241 285,197 292,327 
			 Royal British Legion Polish Ex-servicemen 80,000 150,000 154,000 158,000 162,000 
			 Royal British Legion War Widows — — 16,000 18,000 18,000 
			 National Memorial Arboretum 643,254 485,000 485,000 485,000 485,000 
			 Victoria and George Cross Reunion Association 40,000 — 40,000 — — 
			 Commonwealth War Graves Commission 44,641,049 45,219,000 46,695,000 47,926,000 49,244,000 
			 Scott Polar Research Institute 35,000 35,000 35,000 35,000 35,000 
			 National Army Museum 6,312,403 5,600,000 5,700,000 5,900,000 6,000,000 
			 Army Sports Control Board 458,960 481,000 481,000 481,000 481,000 
			 Council of Voluntary Welfare Work 82,437 101,245 103,777 106,371 109,296 
			 Gurkha Welfare Trust 1,421,000 1,172,000 1,190,000 1,208,000 1,226,000 
			 Army Families Federation 366,558 350,000 355,000 360,000 365,000 
			 Council of the Reserve Forces and Cadets Associations 62,758,836 63,820,000 65,398,000 67,050,000 68,894,188 
			 Royal Irish Home Service Benevolent Fund 64,246 67,000 69,000 71,000 73,000 
			 Royal Hospital Chelsea 10,838,000 11,109,175 11,386,579 11,671,369 11,992,332 
			 National Museum of the Royal Navy(1) 2,797,046 3,454,843 3,309,825 3,409,365 3,235,178 
			 Naval Families Federation 248,601 235,215 241,096 247,123 253,301 
			 Royal Navy Society and Sea Cadets 9,224,094 9,214,527 9,444,890 9,681,012 9,947,240 
			 (1) The National Museum of the Royal Navy provides funding to the Fleet Air Museum, the Royal Marines Museum, the Royal Navy Museum and the Royal Navy Submarine Museum.

Trade Unions

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff of (a) his Department, (b) the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, (c) the Defence Storage and Distribution Agency, (d) the Defence Support Group, (e) the Defence Vetting Agency, (f) the Met Office, (g) the Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency, (h) the People, Pay and Pensions Agency, (i) Service Children's Education, (j) the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency and (k) the UK Hydrographic Office are entitled to work (i) full-time as trade union representatives and (ii) part-time on trade union activities; how many such staff are paid more than £25,900 annually; and what the cost to the public purse of employing such staff on such duties was in the latest period for which figures are available.

Andrew Robathan: In common with many major employers the Ministry of Defence (MOD) makes certain facilities available to civilian employees who are accredited representatives or members, but not paid officials of trade unions (TUs).
	The information requested is provided in the following table. It is not possible to give a breakdown of numbers whose salaries are more than £25,900 annually.
	
		
			  Number of reps on 100% Number of reps on less than 100% Cost (£ million) 
			 Department including: Defence Storage and Distribution Agency Defence Vetting Agency Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency People, Pay and Pensions Agency Service Children's Education and Service Personnel and Veterans Agency 66 321 4.016 
			 Defence Science and Technology Laboratory 1 35 0.282 
			 Defence Support Group 2 73 0.323 
			 Met Office 1 11 0.073 
			 UK Hydrographic Office 0 25 0.091 
		
	
	The figures for Defence Storage and Distribution Agency, Defence Vetting Agency, MOD Police and Guarding Agency, People, Pay and Pensions Agency, Services Children's Education and Service Personnel and Veterans Agency cannot be broken down separately but are contained within the Department figure.
	The figure for representatives on less than 100% includes individuals who may be on as low a figure as 1% i.e. attends a routine management meeting or a specific conference. Within the 321 figure shown against the Department, 151 of the individuals are on less than 10% facility time.

WOMEN AND EQUALITIES

Departmental Legal Costs

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities how much the Government Equalities Office paid in (a) damages, (b) claimant costs and (c) defendant costs in respect of all civil claims brought against it in which the claimant was successful or the Office settled in each year since its inception.

Lynne Featherstone: The Government Equalities Office would show such payments as special payments in its resource accounts. Figures for 2010-11 will be provided in the Government Equality Office's 2010-11 resource accounts to be published in July this year.

Government Equalities Office: Equality and Human Rights

Dominic Raab: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities how many employees of (a) the Government Equalities Office and (b) the Equality and Human Rights Commission earn an annual salary of over (A) £142,500, (B) £65,738 and (C) £25,900.

Lynne Featherstone: holding answer 18 May 2011
	The figures requested for permanent employees of the Government Equalities Office (GEO) and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) are in the table. Additional salary data for these organisations will be made available shortly on
	www.data.gov.uk
	
		
			  Organisation 
			  GEO EHRC 
			 Annual salary over £142,500 0 0 
			 Annual salary over £65,738 10 15 
			 Annual salary over £25,900 87 322

Homophobia: Transphobia

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what steps Ministers in the Government Equalities Office took to mark International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia on 17 May 2011.

Lynne Featherstone: I delivered a video message of support on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia on 17 May 2011, along with the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton Deane (Mr Browne). The messages are available on the Government Equalities Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office websites and have been circulated to stakeholders.
	Our messages reiterated the Government's commitment to advance lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality, both domestically and internationally, and set out the Government's programme of work in this field.

WALES

Charitable Donations

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps she is taking to encourage charitable giving by Ministers in her Department.

David Jones: All Government Ministers have pledged to undertake a ‘one day challenge’ with a charity or community group of their choice. This is a clear and public commitment by Ministers to give their time to help others. The pledge aims to inspire others to consider how they might be able to support their communities to benefit themselves, as well as their chosen organisations.

Departmental Equality

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what account she has taken of the effects of income inequality in the (a) formulation and (b) implementation of policy.

David Jones: The Government are committed to addressing income disparity between different parts of the United Kingdom. It is, however, for individual Departments to undertake appropriate equality impact assessments for individual policies during development.
	It is regrettable that so much of the pre-recession growth was focused on London and the South East leaving Wales with an average gross disposable household income per head of £13,484, 22% lower than the South East of England.
	Measures such as our national insurance holiday for new businesses, and the creation of enterprise zones in areas of high growth potential have the potential to address this disparity.
	The Wales Office will continue to work with other Government Departments and the Welsh Assembly Government to ensure Wales fully benefits from policies that encourage growth.

Departmental Research

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what (a) longitudinal and (b) other (i) research and (ii) collection of data her Department has (A) initiated, (B) terminated and (C) amended in the last 12 months; and what such research and data collection exercises undertaken by the Department have not been amended in that period.

David Jones: Over the last 12 months the Department has initiated two pieces of research on the economic situation in Wales. Both pieces of research were delivered at no cost to the Department.

Wales

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many requests she received between 6 May and 20 May 2011 to meet members of the Welsh Government; and on what matters.

Cheryl Gillan: No such representations have been received.

SCOTLAND

Departmental Equality

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what account he has taken of the effects of income inequality in the (a) formulation and (b) implementation of policy.

David Mundell: The Scotland Office is responsible for the policy governing the devolution settlement in Scotland as provided for in the Scotland Act 1998. A regulatory impact assessment of the Scotland Bill currently before Parliament was undertaken prior to its introduction and is available on the Scotland Office website. Among other things it includes information on the likely costs, benefits and impact of the key proposals based on the available evidence.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Departmental Charitable Donations

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to encourage charitable giving by Ministers in his Department.

Owen Paterson: While I am happy to encourage charitable giving this is a matter of personal choice and I am content to leave such issues to the individual.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

Prosecutions: Rape

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Attorney-General how many successful prosecutions for rape there have been in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Garnier: I am responding to this question using the records maintained by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The Ministry of Justice maintains separate data relating to rape prosecutions.
	The CPS records show that the number of defendants successfully prosecuted for offences of rape in each of the last three years was as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
			 2008-09 2,018 
			 2009-10 2,270 
			 2010-11 2,465 
		
	
	These figures represent the number of defendants prosecuted by the CPS for offences of rape whose case was completed in each of the last three years ending March.
	Rape is defined by the CPS as any offence from the following list:
	Rape: SI Sexual Offences Act 1956
	Sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 13: S5 Sexual Offences Act 1956
	An attempt to commit one of the above offences under the Criminal Attempts Act 1981
	Rape: SI Sexual Offences Act 2003
	Rape of a child under 13: S5 Sexual Offences Act 2003
	Sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder impeding choice: S30(3) Sexual Offences Act 2003
	An attempt to commit one of the above offences under the Criminal Attempts Act 1981
	Incitement or conspiracy to commit any of the above offences.
	Where a case identified in CPS records as one of rape results in conviction on a lesser charge, the outcome of proceedings is still recorded as a conviction for rape.

Trade Unions

Dominic Raab: To ask the Attorney-General how many staff of the Crown Prosecution Service were entitled to work (a) full-time as trade union representatives and (b) part-time on trade union activities in 2010-11; how many such staff were paid more than £25,900 annually; and what the cost to the public purse was of employing such staff on such duties.

Edward Garnier: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to his written question 56434 on 23 May 2011, Official Report, columns 376-77W.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Electoral Systems

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he plans to bring forward further proposals for changes to the electoral system for the House of Commons; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Harper: The coalition's programme for government set out the Government's intention to hold a referendum on whether to adopt the alternative vote for elections to the House of Commons. This commitment has been met with a referendum on the voting system on 5 May 2011. The Government have no plans to bring forward further such proposals in this Parliament.

Voting Rights: Prisoners

Priti Patel: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he is preparing legislation or draft legislation on the extension of the franchise to prisoners; whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals on such an extension within the next six months; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Harper: The Government asked the European Court of Human Rights to reconsider its recent judgment on prisoner voting rights (known as “Greens and MT”)—and was disappointed that the request was refused. The UK has six months from the date of the judgment becoming final to bring forward legislative proposals to amend the law on prisoner voting. The Government are considering the next steps.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Departmental Equality

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what account he has taken of the effects of income inequality in the (a) formulation and (b) implementation of policy.

Bob Neill: My Department follows Government guidance as set out in HM Treasury's Green Book. This includes, where appropriate, assessing possible distributional impacts of policies.

Energy Performance Certificates

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether the moratorium on new regulation from April 2011 for businesses with fewer than 10 people applies to the proposed requirement for holiday lets to have energy performance certificates.

Andrew Stunell: The moratorium will not apply to the requirements in respect of holiday lets and energy performance certificates as this obligation flows from the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. Regulations that implement European Union legislation are exempt from the moratorium.

Fire Services: Trade Unions

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many staff of each fire service are entitled to work (a) full-time as trade union representatives and (b) part-time on trade union activities; how many such staff are paid more than £25,900 per annum; and what the cost to the public purse of employing such staff was in the latest period for which figures are available.

Bob Neill: Fire and rescue authorities, in their role as employers, are responsible for the decisions about how to manage their work force, interact with local trade unions and ensure value for money for the taxpayer.
	However, I am aware of the public and parliamentary concern expressed in recent weeks over trade union officials paid for from the public purse.
	The coalition Government's transparency agenda will help ensure that cash payments to trade unions and the titles of staff posts in local government are open to public scrutiny.
	At a time when all local authorities need to make sensible savings to help pay off the budget deficit, councillors will rightly wish to review the merits of (full-time) union officials funded by the taxpayer and the provision of the office facilities to trade unions.

Government Procurement Card

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the (a) date of purchase, (b) amount, (c) supplier and (d) level 3 or enhanced transaction entry was of each transaction undertaken by his Department using the Government Procurement Card in (i) 2008-09 and (ii) 2009-10.

Bob Neill: The details of GPC transactions for (i) 2008-09 and (ii) 2009-10 have been deposited in the Library of the House. This includes (a) date of purchase, (b) amount and (c)supplier; (d) level 3 or enhanced transaction details are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Each transaction does have a merchant category which is a broad description of the type of goods purchased.
	This disclosure illustrates the need for greater transparency and scrutiny of spending via the Government Procurement Card.

Homelessness

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what mechanism he plans to put in place to ensure that provision of services for homeless people remains a priority for local authorities under the provisions of the Localism Bill.

Grant Shapps: The reforms in the Localism Bill will assist councils in providing a robust safety net for the homeless. Local housing authorities will still be required to secure suitable accommodation for households who are eligible for assistance, homeless through no fault of their own and in 'priority need' (eg families that include a dependant child or pregnant woman and people who are vulnerable for some reason).
	The proposed homelessness provisions in the Localism Bill provide local authorities with additional flexibility so that they can also bring the duty to an end with an offer of accommodation in the private rented sector without requiring the applicant's agreement.
	We are putting additional protection in place for those provided with private rented accommodation ensuring the tenancy must be for a fixed term of at least 12 months and the homelessness duty will recur if the applicant becomes homeless again within two years through no fault of their own, regardless of whether they still have priority need.
	We have maintained the level of investment in homelessness grant for local authorities and the voluntary sector, with provision of £400 million in total over the next four years. We have established a new cross-Government working group on homelessness, bringing together Ministers from eight Government Departments, working with Local Government Association as well as voluntary sector partners to address the complex and multiple causes of homelessness and rough sleeping.

Homelessness

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment the Cross-Departmental Homeless Working Group has made of the effects of the big society initiative on the provision of local services for homeless people

Grant Shapps: The most successful action to tackle homelessness is strongly rooted in local communities. The voluntary and community sector is instrumental at local level in tackling rough sleeping, often in direct response to local concerns about the visibility of the problem. The best local authority homelessness prevention services are shaped around local need. This is an example of big society in action.
	The Ministerial Working Group on Homelessness brings together eight Departments to address the complex causes and improve support for homeless people. The Ministerial Working Group is working with local government and voluntary sector partners to remove bureaucratic barriers, giving communities greater freedom to do what works best in their areas.
	The Government have maintained Homelessness Grant, investing £400 million over the next four years. £6.5 billion was allocated to Supporting People for the spending review period, with councils facing a less than 1% average cash reduction per year.

Housing: Construction

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many (a) private sector and (b) public sector housing starts there were in the Peterborough city council area in the first quarter of 2011.

Andrew Stunell: There were 205 private sector housing starts and nine public sector housing starts in the Peterborough city council area in the first quarter of 2011.
	The sources for these figures are the P2 local authority house building return and data from the National House-Building Council (NHBC). These are collected as part of the production of the Department for Communities and Local Government's National Statistics on house building in England, which can be found at the following link:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/housingstatistics/housingstatisticsby/housebuilding/

Landlords: Complaints

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what information his Department holds on the number of complaints about landlords made to local authorities in each of the last three years.

Andrew Stunell: This information is not held centrally.

Landlords: Prosecutions

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many prosecutions there were of landlords for an offence under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 in (a) 2008, (b) 2009, (c) 2010 and (d) the latest period for which figures are available.

Andrew Stunell: This information is not held by central Government.

Local Government

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what powers are available to police in relation to disorder in public galleries at council meetings open to the public.

James Brokenshire: I have been asked to reply.
	The police have a number of powers that could be used in relation to disorder in public galleries at council meetings, including powers to prevent a breach of the peace, and powers in the Public Order Act 1986.

Local Government

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many local authorities in England have responsibility for housing.

Andrew Stunell: All local housing authorities in England with a housing stock of 50 or more houses are required to keep a housing revenue account. There are currently 170 local authorities with active housing revenue accounts.
	An authority with fewer than 50 dwellings is not required to maintain a separate record and these are not tracked in official statistics; in addition any dwelling that is tied to a particular job, such as wardens or keepers' cottages are not included and may be provided by authorities that otherwise do not maintain housing stock.

Mayors: Birmingham

Stephen McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of establishing arrangements for a shadow mayor in Birmingham; and what proportion of the cost will be funded through council tax payments in Birmingham;
	(2)  if he will refund the costs associated with the creation of a shadow mayor in Birmingham in the case where mayoral government arrangements are rejected in a referendum taking place after a period of mayoral government.

Bob Neill: As the Impact Assessment ‘Creating executive mayors in the 12 largest English cities’ published on 17 January 2011 explains the cost to a local authority of moving to a shadow mayor is expected to be negligible.
	The Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, my hon. Friend the Member for Hazel Grove (Andrew Stunell), indicated to the House at Report stage of the Localism Bill that we would listen carefully to the points made on such issues as shadow mayors and we are now reflecting on what we have heard and intend to come back to these matters when the Bill is considered in the Other Place.
	I do not believe such a move would change the overall administrative costs of the local authority.

Sheltered Housing

Neil Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what representations he has received on measures to enable residents in care villages or similarly-managed properties to hold management companies to account; and if he will make a statement.

Grant Shapps: We have received over 100 letters following a campaign led by the Campaign Against Residential Leasehold Exploitation (CarlEX) questioning the balance of rights between leaseholders and landlords.
	Leaseholders have a number of rights which allow them to hold management companies and landlords to account. These include the ability to challenge the reasonableness of service charges and in some cases, subject to certain criteria, seek the appointment of a new manager at a Leasehold Valuation Tribunal, or take over management and employ their own agent.
	We recognise that where problems arise over leaseholders' homes—especially about the actions of managing agents—these can cause real inconvenience and, in some cases, lead to significant distress. We are therefore actively thinking about the issue and do not rule out making other changes. We have also asked senior officials to meet as a priority with some representatives of the CarlEX campaign to hear more about the issues highlighted in the campaign.

EDUCATION

Arts: Education

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what his policy is on the role of art as a subject in the (a) primary and (b) secondary curriculum.

Nick Gibb: We believe that the arts in general can play an important part in raising standards, changing attitudes towards education, improving behaviour and the quality of teaching. Decisions about the status of art and design as a national curriculum subject will be made as part of the review of the national curriculum. We have recently completed a call for evidence which attracted a very high number of responses across the range of national curriculum subjects. We will be considering those views, along with other evidence, before announcing our proposals early next year.

Arts: Education

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he has made of demand for newly-qualified specialist art teachers in each of the next three academic years.

Nick Gibb: The number of teachers that schools employ in future years will, as now, be a matter for head teachers and governing bodies of schools to decide, according to local needs and subject to statutory requirements on class sizes where appropriate.
	It is our intention to ensure that enough suitably qualified teachers are available to meet the needs of schools. The targets for recruitment to initial teacher training courses were calculated and issued on this basis.
	The latest recruitment targets have been published in Table A3 at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000927/sfr11-2010ittv2.xls
	This shows that in 2011/12 there will be around 320 secondary initial teacher training places specialising in art.
	Recruitment targets beyond 2011/12 have not yet been made.

Children: Communication Skills

Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the merits of developing commissioning guidance for head teachers on support for children with speech, language and communication needs.

Sarah Teather: The Inclusion Development Programme, which provides in-service training for serving teachers, includes a specific module on speech, language and communication needs (SLCN). These materials were updated earlier this year and made widely available to local authorities and school through the distribution of DVD training packages.
	On 9 March we published our Green Paper, ‘Support and Aspiration: A new approach to special educational needs and disability’. The Green Paper proposes a package of reforms aimed to ensure children's needs (including SLCN) are identified early and that the right support is put in place to help all children make progress at school and reach their full potential. There is now a period of consultation on the Green Paper, which closes on 30 June. We will be considering all responses received during the consultation period in determining how we take our proposals forward.

Children: Hearing Impairment

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what financial support his Department (a) has provided in each of the last three years and (b) plans to provide in 2011-12 and 2012-13 for social care services available to deaf children and their families in Walsall.

Sarah Teather: holding answer 19 May 2011
	Funding data specifically for social care services available to deaf children and their families are not collected by the Department. However, the available information on the net expenditure planned by Walsall local authority on the provision of education for pupils with special educational needs in the last three years is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 P  lanned (net) provision for pupils with SEN in Walsall 
			  2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 
			 Walsall 2,194,262 2,826,359 3,272,071 
		
	
	The Department is currently collecting the s251 Budget data for the 2011-12 financial year. The information will not be publicly available until later in the year when it will be published as Official Statistics.

Children: Hearing Impairment

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what financial support his Department (a) has provided in each of the last three years and (b) plans to provide in 2011-12 and 2012-13 for school transport services for children with special educational needs in Walsall.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 19 May 2011
	The information requested is not available. Home to school transport, including transport for children with special educational needs, is funded through a combination of Revenue Support Grant, paid by the Department for Communities and Local Government, and locally determined council tax.
	The Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), recently allocated £38 million for 2011-12 and £47 million for 2012-13 for extended rights to transport for pupils from low income families. Walsall local authority received an allocation of £30,504 and £37,846. Pupils with special educational needs will be eligible to free school travel if they meet the criteria of the extended rights duty.

Commercialisation and Sexualisation of Children Review

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he plans to publish the Bailey Report on the Commercialisation and Sexualisation of Childhood.

Sarah Teather: The report by Reg Bailey following his independent review of the commercialisation and sexualisation of childhood “Letting Children be Children” was published as a Command Paper on 6 June. The Government’s response will be made to Parliament as a written ministerial statement today. Copies of the report have been placed in the House Libraries.
	As requested, Mr Bailey has made a number of robust and challenging recommendations designed to address the problems of excessive commercialisation and premature sexualisation in childhood. Implementation of his recommendations, which have been directed to businesses, trade associations, regulators and Government, will reduce the pressure on children to grow up too fast. The Government have accepted all his recommendations. We will, as Mr Bailey also recommends, take stock of progress in 18 months time and consider what further measures may need to be taken to achieve the recommended outcomes.

Departmental Billing

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what mechanism his Department has established to ensure its payments are passed through the supply chain to each tier in accordance with the last date for payment defined in the Government's Fair Payment guidance.

Tim Loughton: The Department does not have any construction contracts and has not implemented any specific mechanisms to take account of the requirements of the Fair Payment guidance. However, for all contracts, the Department has implemented a prompt payment policy with a 10 day target for payment which is a shorter time scale than the 14 days recommended in the Fair Payment guidance. For the period between 1 May 2010 and 1 April 2011, 94% of invoices were paid within the 10 day target. The Department's contractual requirement is to pay invoices within 30 days and for the period mentioned above 99% were paid within that deadline.
	A clause is included in all contracts requiring payment to be made of all sums due by a contractor to a sub-contractor within a specified period not exceeding 30 days from the receipt of a valid invoice.

Departmental Equality

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what account he has taken of the effects of income inequality in the (a) formulation and (b) implementation of policy.

Nick Gibb: The Government have made a clear commitment to improving the achievement and life chances of children from deprived backgrounds via a £7 billion Fairness Premium. This includes support for disadvantaged two year olds, a pupil premium to help poorer pupils and reforms to higher education.
	We published our social mobility strategy on 5 April 2011. “Opening Doors, Breaking Barriers” focuses on inter-generational social mobility; ensuring that everyone has a fair chance to succeed, regardless of their background. It aims to tackle inequality of opportunity at every stage of life with measures to improve social mobility from the foundation years to school, transition years and adulthood.
	The Government also published their child poverty strategy on 5 April 2011. “Tackling the causes of disadvantage and transforming families' lives” sets out a new approach to tackling child poverty for this Parliament and up to 2020. At its core is strengthening families, encouraging responsibility, promoting work, guaranteeing fairness, and providing support to the most vulnerable.
	The Pupil Premium was introduced from 1 April 2011 and is at the heart of the Government's school reform programme. It will enable pupils from low income families to receive the support they need to reach their full potential and to help schools reduce educational inequalities. Rising to £2.5 billion a year by 2014-15, the Pupil Premium is additional funding specifically designed to boost the attainment of poorer children.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much his Department spent on special advisers' travel by (a) Government car, (b) private hire car, (c) train, (d) bus, (e) commercial aircraft and (f) private aircraft since May 2010.

Tim Loughton: The information is as follows:
	(a) Special advisers are not entitled to the use of a Government car. However, there are occasions when it is necessary to travel in one whilst accompanying a Minister on official business.
	(b & c) The total travel costs (excluding overseas travel) for special advisers at the Department for Education since May 2010 is £2,393. Information detailing the separate cost of taxi and rail travel by special advisers can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	(d) Special advisers at the Department for Education have not travelled by bus whilst on official business.
	(e) Special advisers at the Department for Education have travelled by commercial aircraft whilst on Government business with my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education. The overall costs of all ministerial overseas visits for 2010-11 will be published in due course.
	(f) Special advisers at the Department for Education have not travelled by private aircraft whilst on official business.
	The use of official cars and taxis by civil servants, including special advisers, is governed by the requirements of the Civil Service Management Code.

Departmental Public Appointments

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the answer of 16 March 2011, Official Report, columns 423-4W, on independent review panels, on what basis his Department decides whether to pursue a very light-touch process or a more formal application and selection process; and if he will make a statement.

Tim Loughton: The Department follows the principles and processes set out in the Commissioner for Public Appointments' code of practice
	http://www.publicappointmentscommissioner.org/codeofpractice/
	The code of practice does not require the Department to apply the full process set out in the code to posts that fall outside of the Commissioner's remit, and where this is the case a light touch process may be undertaken.
	A more formal application and selection process would be undertaken where the post is remunerated.

Discretionary Learner Support Fund: Cornwall

Sarah Newton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much of the Discretionary Support Fund will be allocated to Cornwall.

Nick Gibb: We are finalising details of the allocations for the 16-19 Bursary Fund following the consultation on the new arrangements, which closed on 20 May. The Young People's Learning Agency will issue allocations to schools, colleges and training providers in June.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the effects of the withdrawal of education maintenance allowance on young people from (a) ethnic minorities and (b) lone parent families; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: The equality impact assessment for the ending of education maintenance allowance and the introduction of the 16-19 Bursary funding is available on the Department for Education website:
	http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/1/ema%20replacement%20scheme%20%20%20equality%20impact %20assessment.pdf
	We will monitor and evaluate the impact of the introduction of the new fund, including with reference to levels of support by disability, ethnicity, gender and other characteristics.

Education: Children's Service

Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what information his Department holds on the headcount of each local authority education and children's service; and under what categories such data is held.

Nick Gibb: The Department does not collect information on the overall number of staff employed by local authorities for the provision of education and children's services. However, information on the number of school staff is provided to the Department through the annual School Workforce Census (SWF) return.
	The table provides the head-count of staff employed in local authority maintained schools and those staff employed centrally by local authorities who spend the majority of their time in schools, as of November 2010. Other staff who are employed centrally for the provision of education and other children's services are not included, except educational psychologists. The categories in the table may be disaggregated further into job roles where these have been provided.
	Further information on the overall number of staff employed by local authorities in the education sector is published by the Office for National Statistics; the Public Sector Employment Statistical Bulletin is available at the following link:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/product.asp?vlnk=13615&Pos=&ColRank+1&Rank+422
	
		
			 Head count of regular teachers, teaching assistants, support staff,   auxiliary   staff and educational psychologists in service in local authority maintained schools in each local authority, year: November 2010, coverage: England 
			 Local authority Teachers  (1) Teaching assistants  (2) Support staff  (3) Auxiliary staff  (4) Educational Psychologists 
			 Barking and Dagenham 2,170 1,090 670 1,580 n/a 
			 Barnet 3,460 2,180 1,600 1,460 20 
			 Barnsley 1,850 1,440 790 1,730 10 
			 Bath and North East Somerset 1,660 1,060 630 790 n/a 
			 Bedford Borough 1,730 1,090 760 1,070 10 
			 Bexley 2,090 1,380 920 980 10 
			 Birmingham 11,160 6,940 4,160 9,040 60 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 1,580 1,420 1,210 480 10 
			 Blackpool 1,250 850 840 410 10 
			 Bolton 2,570 1,830 920 940 10 
			 Bournemouth 1,250 840 450 620 10 
			 Bracknell Forest 880 670 380 480 10 
			 Bradford 5,150 4,270 2,110 2,570 n/a 
			 Brent 2,680 1,430 880 970 10 
			 Brighton and Hove 2,150 1,580 780 1,010 20 
			 Bristol City of 2,850 1,740 1,310 1,260 n/a 
			 Bromley 2,840 1,910 930 1,110 n/a 
			 Buckinghamshire 5,510 3,240 1,820 1,980 30 
			 Bury 1,640 1,330 450 750 10 
			 Calderdale 2,100 1,520 870 1,230 10 
			 Cambridgeshire 4,900 4,000 2,080 3,700 20 
			 Camden 1,610 1,020 580 700 20 
			 Central Bedfordshire 3,050 1,680 1,240 1,550 10 
			 Cheshire East 3,080 1.930 880 1,900 10 
			 Cheshire West and Chester 3,030 1,650 830 1,690 20 
			 City of London 20 20 10 * * 
			 Cornwall 4,800 4,190 1,540 2,040 20 
			 Coventry 3,250 1,790 1,330 2,120 10 
			 Croydon 2,900 2,100 1,010 1,600 20 
			 Cumbria 4,250 2,230 1,370 1,660 20 
			 Darlington 830 570 270 380 10 
			 Derby 2,000 1,560 680 1,020 * 
			 Derbyshire 6,720 4,720 2,430 5,460 30 
			 Devon 6,340 5,100 2,590 4,580 40 
			 Doncaster 2,630 3,540 1,870 3,690 10 
			 Dorset 3,700 2,640 1,260 1,840 20 
			 Dudley 3,020 2,780 1,150 1,870 n/a 
			 Durham 4,630 2,340 1,550 2,830 10 
			 Ealing 2,840 1,550 990 1,390 20 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 2,970 2,270 1,210 1,870 10 
			 East Sussex 4,140 3,280 1,680 2,180 20 
			 Enfield 2,970 1,990 1,070 870 20 
			 Essex 11,650 8,810 5,120 7,330 40 
			 Gateshead 1,820 870 490 1,010 30 
			 Gloucestershire 6,070 3,870 1,900 2,920 20 
			 Greenwich 2,520 2,030 1,090 970 20 
			 Hackney 1,620 1,130 640 810 20 
			 Halton 1,140 630 360 920 10 
		
	
	
		
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 1,230 610 510 290 10 
			 Hampshire 10,810 6,980 3,670 5,990 70 
			 Haringey 2,350 1,380 1,100 1,420 10 
			 Harrow 2,030 1,280 790 1,170 10 
			 Hartlepool 940 800 320 790 10 
			 Havering 2,360 1,660 880 1,450 10 
			 Herefordshire 1,350 1,070 460 710 10 
			 Hertfordshire 12,560 7,080 4,660 5,150 60 
			 Hillingdon 2,710 1,900 1,070 1,300 20 
			 Hounslow 2,320 1,090 780 1,090 10 
			 Isle of Wight 1,220 1,020 610 720 * 
			 Isles of Scilly 40 30 10 20 n/a 
			 Islington 1,470 990 720 600 20 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 760 530 340 300 10 
			 Kent 13,230 9,860 4,520 5,570 50 
			 Kingston Upon Hull City of 2,150 1,860 680 930 n/a 
			 Kingston upon Thames 1,590 850 660 580 n/a 
			 Kirklees 3,980 2,550 1,440 2,910 20 
			 Knowsley 1,410 1,080 500 400 10 
			 Lambeth 2,170 1,550 760 470 20 
			 Lancashire 10,770 9,580 5,610 4,200 50 
			 Leeds 6,520 5,110 2,250 3,470 40 
			 Leicester 3,050 2,430 1,090 1,890 20 
			 Leicestershire 6,200 4,410 3,000 3,640 20 
			 Lewisham 1,750 1,310 710 750 n/a 
			 Lincolnshire 5,710 4,620 2,230 3,200 30 
			 Liverpool 4,050 1,810 1,240 1,830 20 
			 Luton 1,880 1,780 910 1,590 10 
			 Manchester 3,990 2,630 2,490 2,360 20 
			 Medway 2,140 1,720 870 1,080 20 
			 Merton 1,390 920 630 540 10 
			 Middlesbrough 1,080 900 670 470 n/a 
			 Milton Keynes 2,630 2,020 1,010 1,450 20 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 2,350 1,280 780 1,810 20 
			 Newham 3,100 2,220 1,120 1,890 10 
			 Norfolk 6,780 6,140 2,450 4,480 n/a 
			 North East Lincolnshire 960 1,030 380 820 10 
			 North Lincolnshire 1,380 1,150 510 1,360 10 
			 North Somerset 1,840 1,130 510 590 10 
			 North Tyneside 2,000 800 600 1,240 10 
			 North Yorkshire 4,840 3,130 2,070 4,310 30 
			 Northamptonshire 6,360 5,410 3,230 3,210 30 
			 Northumberland 3,570 1,750 830 1,960 20 
			 Nottingham 2,160 1,660 710 1,030 n/a 
			 Nottinghamshire 7,420 4,170 2,640 5,300 30 
			 Oldham 2,210 1,780 670 900 10 
			 Oxfordshire 5,820 4,650 2,220 2,690 20 
			 Peterborough 1,520 1,460 600 1,120 10 
			 Plymouth 2,360 2,030 1,030 1,570 20 
			 Poole 1,130 780 540 640 n/a 
		
	
	
		
			 Portsmouth 1,540 1,310 640 820 10 
			 Reading 1,090 880 530 570 10 
			 Redbridge 3,100 1,670 1,120 1,100 10 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 1,360 950 520 1,140 10 
			 Richmond upon Thames 1,130 690 450 240 10 
			 Rochdale 1,940 1,760 650 1,350 10 
			 Rotherham 2,560 2,030 940 990 10 
			 Rutland 290 190 160 120 * 
			 Salford 1,360 140 110 30 n/a 
			 Sandwell 2,770 2,380 820 2,240 20 
			 Sefton 2,710 1,810 940 1,030 n/a 
			 Sheffield 4,380 2,950 1,580 2,060 20 
			 Shropshire 2,980 2,500 910 2,400 n/a 
			 Slough 1.570 1,030 710 560 10 
			 Solihull 1,930 1,320 590 1,210 10 
			 Somerset 4,320 4,080 1,830 2,700 30 
			 South Gloucestershire 2,350 1,370 690 1,590 10 
			 South Tyneside 1,050 550 380 1,010 10 
			 Southampton 1,670 1,320 600 870 10 
			 Southend-on-Sea 1,840 1,140 740 940 * 
			 Southwark 1,630 1,570 590 920 20 
			 St Helens 1,340 960 340 460 n/a 
			 Staffordshire 7,660 4,810 3,050 6,640 30 
			 Stockport 2,560 1,750 940 1,380 20 
			 Stockton-on-Tees 1,710 1,130 420 1,360 10 
			 Stoke-on-Trent 2,040 1,380 1,240 2,060 40 
			 Suffolk 6,850 4,750 2,750 4,850 30 
			 Sunderland 2,630 1,740 1,020 1,150 10 
			 Surrey 9,160 7,160 3,920 4,480 50 
			 Sutton 2,120 1,080 670 820 10 
			 Swindon 1,770 1,560 660 1,070 40 
			 Tameside 1,850 1,110 830 1,410 10 
			 Telford and Wrekin 1,190 1,300 630 740 n/a 
			 Thurrock 1,180 880 520 590 n/a 
			 Torbay 1,180 860 520 640 10 
			 Tower Hamlets 3,030 2,190 1,220 1,540 30 
			 Trafford 2,030 990 590 710 10 
			 Wakefield 2,840 2,320 1,270 2,490 n/a 
			 Walsall 2,550 1,940 980 1,240 10 
			 Waltham Forest 2,360 1,450 920 1,380 20 
			 Wandsworth 2,220 1,750 920 650 20 
			 Warrington 2,020 1,240 620 1,380 10 
			 Warwickshire 5,010 3,400 1,610 3,660 20 
			 West Berkshire 1,800 1,420 760 750 n/a 
			 West Sussex 6,970 4,640 3,500 3,060 40 
			 Westminster 1,210 720 350 340 10 
			 Wigan 3,150 3,340 980 330 10 
			 Wiltshire 4,240 3,100 1,720 1,990 30 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 1,300 940 650 640 n/a 
			 Wirral 3,310 1,760 1,080 1,350 n/a 
			 Wokingham 1,620 1,280 640 740 n/a 
			 Wolverhampton 2,420 1,340 960 1,850 20 
			 Worcestershire 5,270 4,400 1,850 2,990 * 
			 York 1,450 780 380 390 10 
		
	
	
		
			 England 470,230 333,140 181,610 261,550 n/a 
			 n/a = Not available. * = Nil or negligible. (1) Includes full and part-time, qualified and unqualified teachers. (2) Includes higher level teaching assistants, nursery nurses, nursery assistants, literacy and numeracy support staff and any other non-teaching staff regularly employed to support teachers in the classroom, special needs support staff and minority ethnic pupil support staff. (3) Includes administrative staff (e.g. secretaries, bursars and other admin/clerical staff), technicians (e.g. laboratory assistants, design technology assistants, home economics and craft technicians and IT technicians), other support staff (e.g. matrons/nurses/medical staff, child care staff and other education support staff). (4) These staff are employed in posts that were not previously collected. Examples of staff included are those employed in catering and school maintenance. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Source: School Workforce Census

Educational Visits

Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what (a) time-series data and (b) information his Department holds on the number of (i) school trips which have taken place and (ii) children who have participated in school trips.

Nick Gibb: The Department for Education neither collects such data nor makes related estimates.

First Aid: Curriculum

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the answer of 9 May 2011, Official Report, column 968W, on secondary education: first aid, whether his Department will bring forward proposals to include training of pupils in cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the national curriculum; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: The non-statutory framework for personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education includes teaching young people to develop the skills to cope with emergency situations that require basic first aid procedures, including, at key stage 4 (age 15 to 16), resuscitation techniques.
	The non-statutory elements of PSHE education are not covered by our review of the national curriculum. However, as signalled in the White Paper, we intend to conduct a separate, internal, review to determine how we can support schools to improve the quality of PSHE teaching, including giving teachers the flexibility to use their judgment about how best to deliver PSHE education. More details will be announced shortly.

Free School Meals

Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what measures of deprivation his Department uses in its segmented analysis of achievement at school other than the proportion of children entitled to free school meals.

Nick Gibb: The Department for Education uses two indicators of deprivation in addition to free school meals. These are the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) and the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI), these indices were produced by the Department for Communities and Local Government. The most recent version of the IMD was released by the Department for Communities and Local Government in December 2010.
	IMD is a Lower layer Super Output Area (LSOA) level measure of multiple deprivation and is made up of seven LSOA level domain indices. There are also two supplementary indices (Income Deprivation Affecting Children and Income Deprivation Affecting Older People). LSOAs in England are ranked from one to 32,482 where one is the most deprived.
	With the introduction of the Pupil Premium, for pupils known to be eligible for free school meals and for looked after children, the measure of deprivation is being extended to include both these groups of pupils.

Free Schools

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the answer of 9 May 2011, Official Report, column 966W, on free schools, what school size or capacity has been specified in each application to establish a free school submitted to his Department to date.

Nick Gibb: The Department had received over 300 applications at the close of the initial application round in February 2011. The size of the proposed Free Schools varied substantially with the average number of pupil places being around 300.

Free Schools

Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many free schools he expects to open in September 2011; how many applications are being processed; and how many further expressions of interest have been registered with his Department.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 24 May 2011
	To date, 32 proposals have been given approval to move to business case and plan stage and beyond, of which a number of schools will open in September 2011. The application process for proposed schools that hope to open in 2012 is now open. We expect to receive a large number of high quality applications.

GCE A-level

Elizabeth Truss: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  how many and what proportion of A-level students were entered for A-level (a) mathematics, (b) English literature, (c) further mathematics, (d) biological sciences, (e) physics, (f) chemistry, (g) geography, (h) history and (i) at least one modern foreign language in (i) modern schools and (ii) other further education sector colleges (A) nationally and (B) in each local education authority area in the last year for which figures are available;
	(2)  how many and what proportion of A-level students were entered for at least three A-levels from (a) mathematics, (b) English literature, (c) further mathematics, (d) biological sciences, (e) physics, (f) chemistry, (g) geography, (h) history and (i) a modern foreign language in (i) modern schools and (ii) other further education sector colleges (A) nationally and (B) in each local education authority area in the last year for which figures are available.
	(3)  how many and what proportion of GCE A-level students were entered for GCE A-level in (a) accounting, (b) art and design, (c) business studies, (d) communication and culture, (e) dance, (f) design and technology, (g) drama/theatre studies, (h) electronics, (i) film studies, (j) home economics, (k) information and communication technology, (l) law, (m) media studies, (n) music technology, (o) sports studies, (p) travel and tourism and (q) environmental studies in (i) modern schools and (ii) other further education sector colleges (A) nationally and (B) in each local education authority area in the last year for which figures are available.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 24 May 2011
	The information requested has been placed in the House Libraries.

Grammar Schools

Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many grammar schools have (a) applied for, (b) converted to and (c) registered an interest in applying for academy status since 2005.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 24 May 2011
	Since the Academies Act 2010 was passed, 116 grammar schools have applied to convert and 63 have converted to academy status. A list of all schools that have formally applied for academy status, as well as a list of academies that have opened in the academic year 2010/11 can be found on the DfE academies website at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/academies/a0069811/schools-submitting-applications-and-academies-that-have-opened-in-201011
	and this is updated monthly. The Department no longer publishes a list of mainstream schools that have expressed an interest in converting to academy status.

History and Geography: Secondary Education

Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether he has assessed the merits of raising to 16 years the compulsory age to which history and geography must be taught.

Nick Gibb: We are currently reviewing the national curriculum in England, and as part of that will consider whether history and geography should be compulsory subjects within the national curriculum and, if so, at which key stages. We will be announcing our proposals early next year.

Primary Education: Training

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what his policy is on training and continuing professional development for the primary school workforce.

Nick Gibb: The Government's policy on the training and continuing professional development of teachers is set out in the White Paper, “The Importance of Teaching” which was published on 24 November 2010.
	In the White Paper we set out proposals to reform initial teacher training so that it focuses on key teaching skills including teaching early reading and mathematics, managing behaviour and responding to pupils' special educational needs. In particular for primary schools, proposals to improve the initial training of teachers in systematic synthetic phonics and develop more specialist teachers of mathematics.
	We have said that we will create a new national network of teaching schools, on the model of teaching hospitals, giving outstanding schools the role of leading the training and professional development of teachers and head teachers so that all schools, including primary schools, have access to high quality professional and leadership development. We are also introducing a competitive national scholarship scheme to give teachers the opportunity to deepen their subject knowledge.

Pupils: Identification

Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what guidance his Department issues to secondary schools on the wearing of identity badges by pupils.

Nick Gibb: The Department for Education does not issue formal guidance on the wearing of identity badges by pupils. It is for schools to take such measures as they think are reasonable to keep the premises secure and the pupils and staff safe from intrusion.

Reading: Teaching Methods

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 24 March 2011, Official Report, columns 61-2WS, on the Year 1 phonics screening check, how often his Department plans to update the list of approved phonics products and training; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: The process for reviewing publishers' self-assessments of phonics products against the Department's core criteria will continue until at least September 2011. We will consider whether to extend this process further.
	Separately, a catalogue containing an approved list of products and training will be available in September 2011 following a procurement exercise. We expect to re- procure products and training for the catalogue by April 2012.

School Meals: Standards

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education for what reason academies and free schools are to be exempted from the requirement to meet nutritional standards for school meals.

Nick Gibb: As part of the broader freedoms given to academies and free schools, we trust the professionals to act in the best interests of their pupils. I am not aware of any evidence that suggests that academies provide meals that are less nutritious than those provided in maintained schools.

Schools: Identification

Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what guidance his Department issues to schools on the deployment of in-school identification and payment systems.

Nick Gibb: The Department for Education has not issued any specific advice about identification and payment systems. Schools are expected to comply with Data Protection legislation and ensure the security of personal information. In 2008/09 Becta produced guidance on data security for schools. In 2007 they also developed guidance in liaison with the Information Commissioner's Office, for those schools choosing to use biometric authentication systems. This guidance remains valid.
	The coalition agreement of May 2010 promised to outlaw the finger-printing of children at school without parental permission. The Government have introduced new legislation in the Protection of Freedoms Bill, currently going through Parliament, to regulate the use of biometric recognition systems in schools and colleges. The purpose of these provisions is to ensure that no children's biometric data are taken, in schools or colleges, without parental permission. The provisions would also give children the right to refuse to use biometric systems and ensure that alternatives are provided for children or their parents who opt out of using biometric technology. Subject to the passage through Parliament, the Department for Education will issue advice to schools making their duties under these provisions clear.

Schools: Information and Communications Technology

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he is taking to ensure pupils have access to high quality ICT education and training in schools.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 18 May 2011
	The Department has contracted with the Open University to provide a regional network of support centres delivering continuing professional development to both specialist ICT teachers and teachers of other subjects who use ICT. Additionally, the Department has provided access for schools to an online tool to guide their self-review and development in the use of ICT and has contracted with Naace, the professional association for ICT in schools, to continue delivery of ‘ICT Mark’ assessments to recognise schools that demonstrate excellence.

Schools: Newham

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  what plans he has to ensure sufficient pupil places are available for residents of the London borough of Newham up to 2013;
	(2)  how many children in (a) the London borough of Newham and (b) London are being taught in temporary classrooms.

Nick Gibb: The Department has allocated £800 million of capital funding to local authorities in England for 2011-12 to provide additional pupil places (basic need). This is twice the previous annual level of support.
	The Department collects information from each local authority on school capacity in maintained schools through an annual survey, which includes local authorities’ own pupil forecasts. The most recent survey data relates to the position at May 2010 and is available on the Department for Education’s website at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/STR/d000982/index.shtml
	The survey does not ask local authorities to report on the number of children being taught in temporary classrooms and this information is not held by the Department.

Schools: Nutrition

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the role of Ofsted will be in relation to the implementation of nutritional standards for school food for (a) academies, (b) free schools and (c) other schools.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 24 May 2011
	The Government are committed to refocusing school inspection for maintained schools, academies and free schools, around the core areas of pupil achievement, teaching, leadership and behaviour, and safety. We have no plans to ask Ofsted to assess the implementation of nutritional standards for school food as part of this new inspection focus.
	Governing bodies of maintained schools and local authorities are responsible for ensuring that school food meets the required standards. Parents are increasingly knowledgeable about the importance of healthy eating and are well placed to hold schools to account for this.
	Free schools and academies, established since September 2010, are not required to comply with the school food standards, and are free to promote healthy eating and good nutrition as they see fit.

Schools: Nutrition

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether free schools will be required to comply with nutritional standards for school food.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 24 May 2011
	Free Schools will not be required to comply with the nutritional standards for school food. They will be required to provide lunches where there is demand and free school meals to all pupils who are eligible and wish to take up their entitlement. We have no reason to believe that Free Schools will not provide healthy, balanced meals that meet the current nutritional standards. As part of the broader freedoms available to Free Schools, we trust the professionals to act in the best interests of their pupils.

Schools: Repairs and Maintenance

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much per capita his Department spent on maintaining and improving state school premises in each of the last five years.

Nick Gibb: The following table shows how much capital funding the Department has spent per pupil in England since 2004-05. These figures are for all funded pupils aged three to 19 and are in real terms.
	
		
			 Capital  (1, 2 )  only funding per maintained school pupil  (3)  , 2004-05 to 2010-11 (includes academies) 
			 Funding per maintained pupil (£) 
			  2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 
			  Actual Actual Actual  (4) Actual Actual Actual Estimated outturn  (5) 
			 Real terms(6) 720 780 700 830 920 1,080 960 
			 Real terms index(7) 100 108 97 115 128 150 133 
			 (1) Figures are rounded to nearest £10. (2) Includes capital budgets (drawn from annex C of 2009 departmental report) and PFI funding streams. (3) Calculations are based on maintained sector full-time equivalent pupils (including academy pupils) aged three to 19 in England. Taken from the schools census as at January 2010. Figures exclude pupils in PVIs and alternative provision. (4) The apparent drop in funding per pupil between 2005-06 and 2006-07 is caused by the transitional effect of a change in the funding mechanism for the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. This involves the re-phasing of payments to local authorities to better reflect the actual pattern of delivery on the ground. Any unspent capital from 2006-07 will be rolled forward to be used in future years, thereby ensuring that the BSF programme is fully delivered. This also applies to unspent capital in 2008-09, where end-year flexibility funds can be brought forward to 2009-11. (5) Figures updated for PBR 2008 fiscal stimulus of £800 million capital funds moving from 2010-11 to 2009-10. (6) Real terms figures have been calculated using the December 2010 gross domestic product deflators with 2009-10 as the base year. (7) The real terms funding index has been based with 2004-05 as 100.

Secondary Education: Performance Standards

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has for the future of the C-grade threshold as used in performance measures for secondary schools.

Nick Gibb: The 2011 secondary school performance tables, to be published in January 2012, will be based on indicators which reflect the Government's priorities as announced in the Schools White Paper “The Importance of Teaching”. We want to discourage schools from focusing on pupils on the C/D borderline to improve the school's standing in league tables. Performance tables will therefore include measures of pupil progress and average point scores which capture the full range of outcomes for all pupils. While we will continue to publish A-C indicators, we will also publish a wider range of information, in a supporting dataset, such as the percentage of pupils achieving A*-G in the English baccalaureate subjects and the percentage of pupils achieving 5+A*-G at GCSE or equivalent. Full details of the content of the 2011 performance tables will be published, later this term, in our annual statement of intent.
	Reforming performance tables to increase flexibility and interrogative functions, is part of our ambition to improve accountability and increase transparency. The objective is to create a fully flexible dataset that will: allow parents, inspectors, governors, and the public to challenge schools on their performance; support school improvement; and open up underlying data to allow users to create and compare the information of most importance to them.

Separation

Sheila Gilmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Education to which (a) geographical areas and (b) organisations he plans to allocate the funding for relationship support services with respect to family separation in the next four years; and if he will make a statement.

Sarah Teather: In December 2010, the Prime Minister announced a dedicated fund of £30 million over the next four years to support couple relationships. The majority of this funding will be allocated to the voluntary and community sector (VCS) via the Department for Education's VCS Grants programme. To be considered for grant funding, organisations had to carry out work of national significance.
	The successful organisations were announced on 25 February 2011 and those that will receive dedicated funding for relationship support (subject to negotiations) are listed as follows. The majority of the organisations deliver a mix of preventative couple relationship support, relationship counselling for couples in difficulty and work with couples who are separating or separated:
	Asian Family Counselling Service
	Care for the Family
	Centre for Separated Families
	Contact a Family
	Families Need Fathers
	Gingerbread
	Marriage Care
	National Association of Child Contact Centres
	One Plus One
	PACE (Project for Advocacy, Counselling and Education) "
	Relate
	Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships
	In addition, a number of organisations are funded to provide a range of support for families which can also include relationship support.

Special Educational Needs

Ian Swales: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will bring forward legislative proposals to require schools to support the health and well-being of children with (a) medical needs and (b) myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Sarah Teather: holding answer 23 May 2011
	There is already a legal duty on schools to promote the well-being of their pupils. Within that, it is for school governing bodies and local authorities, rather than central Government, to determine their own policies on supporting pupils with medical needs. Good schools and local authorities will work with parents and local health services so that the medical needs of children, such as those with myalgic encephalomyelitis, are met while they are at school.
	As we said in the Schools White Paper, ‘The importance of Teaching’, good schools have a vital role as promoters of health and well-being in the local community, and have always had good pastoral systems. They understand well the connections between pupils' physical and mental health and their educational achievement. We believe that the majority of the important work that schools do is not as a result of government prescription, and so the Department has no plans to change the existing arrangements or to bring forward new legislative proposals.
	This Department, together with the Department of Health, produced guidance for schools in 2005, entitled ‘Managing Medicines in Schools and Early Years’. This recommends, among other things, that there should be a clear policy in each school, an individual health care plan for any child with medical needs, and training for staff. The guidance can be found at:
	www.education.gov.uk/publications/standard/publicationdetail/page1/DFES-1448-2005
	We encourage other organisations, such as employer and staff associations and charities such as the ME Association, to play their part in supporting schools and parents and in sharing good practice.

Special Educational Needs: Autism

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what financial support his Department provided for children with autistic spectrum disorders in schools in Sunderland in each of the last three years.

Sarah Teather: Funding data for special education support for children with autistic spectrum disorders is not collected by the Department.
	It is for local authorities to take decisions on how to deploy the funding they receive from central Government. In the last three financial years, Sunderland planned to spend £403,646 (2008-09), £397,881 (2009-10) and £397,011 (2010-11) on special educational needs provision, including provision for children with autistic spectrum disorders.

Teachers: Disciplinary Proceedings

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  how many teachers in each region of England have been (a) disciplined and (b) dismissed for disciplinary offences related to inappropriate internet usage in each of the last three years;
	(2)  how many teachers in each region of England have been dismissed on grounds of inefficiency in each of the last three years;
	(3)  how many teachers in each region of England have been (a) subject to disciplinary procedures on health grounds and (b) dismissed on such grounds in each of the last three years.

Nick Gibb: The responsibility for disciplinary procedures within schools in England, including those that result in dismissal, rests with school governing bodies and local authorities, who are the employers of teachers in schools.
	The information requested about the numbers of teachers disciplined and dismissed is not held by the Department.

Teachers: Schoolmasters

Gavin Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what funding his Department has provided to (a) the National Union of Teachers, (b) the National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers, (c) the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, (d) the National Association of Head Teachers and (e) schemes run by those organisations in each year since 1997.

Nick Gibb: The information requested is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Union name Financial year Amount of payment (£) Reason for funding 
			 National Union of Teachers (NUT) 1997 to April2002 (1)— — 
			  April 2002 to March 2003 0 — 
			  April 2003 to March 2004 0 — 
			  April 2004 to March 2005 465.00 Schools Web - Schools Channels 
			  April 2005 to March 2006 0 — 
			  April 2006 to March 2007 0 — 
			  April 2007 to March 2008 0 — 
			  April 2008 to March 2009 402.50 Young People Directorate—14-19 Public Awareness 
			  April 2009 to March 2010 4,482.50 Advertisement for First Post and Litigation 
			  April 2010 to March 2011 0 — 
			  April 2011 0 — 
			  Total 5,350.00 — 
			     
			 National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) 1997 to April 2002 (1)— — 
			  April 2002 to March 2003 0 — 
			  April 2003 to March 2004 0 — 
			  April 2004 to March 2005 31,500.00 PE Sport Strategy for Young People—Paralympics Assoc 
			  April 2005 to March 2006 87,486.00 PE Sport Strategy for Young People—Paralympics Assoc/Teachers' Performance Management 
		
	
	
		
			  April 2006 to March 2007 100,000.00 PE Sport Strategy for Young People—Paralympics Assoc 
			  April 2007 to March 2008 130,500.00 PE Sport Strategy for Young People—Paralympics Assoc 
			  April 2008 to March 2009 95,070.00 PE Sport Strategy for Young People—Paralympics Assoc 
			  April 2009 to March 2010 125,000.00 PE Sport Strategy for Young People—Paralympics Assoc 
			  April 2010 to March2011 100,000.00 PE Sport Strategy for Young People—Paralympics Assoc 
			  April 2011 0 — 
			  Total 669,556.00 — 
			     
			 Association of Teachers and Lecturers(ATL) 1997 to April 2002 (1)— — 
			  April 2002 to March 2003 0 — 
			  April 2003 to March 2004 0 — 
			  April 2004 to March 2005 0 — 
			  April 2005 to March 2006 0 — 
			  April 2006 to March 2007 0 — 
			  April 2007 to March 2008 0 — 
			  April 2008 to March 2009 230.00 Young People Directorate—14-19 Reform Local Delivery—Public Awareness 
			  April 2009 to March 2010 587.50 Stakeholder Engagement Conferences and Exhibitions 
			  April 2010 to March2011 0 — 
			  April 2011 0 — 
			  Total 817.50 — 
			     
			 National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) 1997 to April 2002 (1)— — 
			  April 2002 to March 2003 13,883.82 Communications/Public Awareness/ Conferences/ Playing Fields 
			  April 2003 to March 2004 13,106.37 Playing Fields 
			  April 2004 to March 2005 24,266.77 Playing Fields/Conferences 
			  April 2005 to March 2006 10,950.63 Playing Fields/ Publicity/Training 
			  April 2006 to March 2007 8,212.92 Playing Fields/Gifted and Talented 
			  April 2007 to March 2008 8,596.91 Playing Fields 
			  April 2008 to March 2009 13,075.43 Playing Fields/Conferences 
			  April 2009 to March2010 9,442.84 Playing Fields/Conferences/Public Awareness 
			  April 2010 to March2011 0 — 
			  April 2011 0 — 
			  Total 88,840.46 — 
			 (1) No information available

University Technical Colleges

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many statements of intent his Department received in relation to establishing a university technical college by 1 April 2011; and if he will publish each statement received.

Nick Gibb: The deadline for sending Statements of Intent for University Technical Colleges to the Department was 15 April 2011. 51 were received by that date. Each proposer now has the opportunity to develop a full application, in line with guidance we have published on the Department's website. We will announce, in due course, which applications are approved.

Vocational Guidance: Finance

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether his Department plans to provide direct funding to the all-age careers service in academic year 2011-12.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 9 May 2011
	Online and helpline service currently funded by the Department for Education for young people will, during the academic year 2011-12, be integrated with those for adults as part of the establishment of a National Careers Service. The Department for Education is providing funding through the Early Intervention Grant to support access to impartial careers guidance for young people in the academic year 2011-12. Subject to the passage of the Education Bill, schools will be responsible for securing independent careers guidance for their pupils from September 2012.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Departmental Charitable Donations

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to encourage charitable giving by Ministers in his Department.

Alan Duncan: All Government Ministers have pledged to undertake a ‘one day challenge’ with a charity or community group of their choice. This is a clear and public commitment by Ministers to give their time to help others. The pledge aims to inspire others to consider how they might be able to support their communities to benefit themselves, as well as their chosen organisations.

Departmental Manpower

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make it his policy to publish monthly information on changes in the numbers of his Department’s employees categorised by (a) seniority, (b) voluntary redundancy, (c) natural wastage and (d) involuntary redundancy.

Alan Duncan: In response to the Government Transparency Initiative and in line with other Government Departments, the Department for International Development publishes organograms for the entire organisation and salary information for most of the senior civil service. This data is refreshed every six months, details of which can be found on the Cabinet Office website at:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/transparency
	We also provide details of staff leaving DFID and their reason for doing so as part of an annual civil service employment survey return for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), details of which can be found on the ONS website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/default.asp
	We have no plans to publish more frequent additional data.

Developing Countries: Climate Change

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had within the Transitional Committee on the Green Climate Fund on the division of funding between climate change adaptation and mitigation measures; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Mitchell: The coalition Government support the decision of the 16(th) Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which tasks the Transitional Committee to design a Green Climate Fund with the objective of achieving a balanced allocation between adaptation and mitigation. The Transitional Committee has met once, and there has not yet been any substantial discussion of the division of funding between adaptation and mitigation. The coalition Government will aim to secure provisions for a balanced allocation when this matter is considered in the Transitional Committee.

Developing Countries: Roads

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his policy is on the provision by the Government of £1.5 million of grant aid to promote global road safety through the UN Global Road Safety Commission; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen O'Brien: Road safety is an important issue for people in developing countries. While this project is not part of our current programme, our core funding to multilateral agencies like the World Bank will save lives by ensuring that road investments include road safety provisions.

Ecuador: Rain Forests

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the proposals of the Government of Ecuador for the preservation of the Yasuni forest.

Stephen O'Brien: The UK Government are aware of proposals relating to the Yasuni forest. Although at this early stage a number of important technical questions still need to be addressed, the UK Government recognise the forward looking and innovative approach set out by the Ecuadorian Government. Further attention needs to be devoted to developing environmental and social safeguard policies to ensure that investments do not have unintended harmful consequences, and to the permanence of the arrangements to conserve the Yasuni region.
	The UK Government recognise the importance of forests in supporting livelihoods, protecting biodiversity and mitigating climate change. Funding has been committed over the next four years (2011-15) through the International Climate Fund to help developing countries to respond to climate change, and a substantial part of this funding is likely to be focused on forests. An independent review to inform options for UK support on forestry was published on 18 May, and its recommendations are now under consideration.

Elections

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what arrangements his Department put in place to enable its officials working overseas to vote by post in the May 2011 elections and referendum on the voting system.

Alan Duncan: In the briefing packs for officials who will be taking up an overseas posting we give them the ‘Electoral Registration form for a Crown Servant or British Council employee’. This tells them how to register to vote in an election. It is up to the individual to decide if they complete and return the form to their Electoral Registration Office.

Pakistan: Overseas Aid

Simon Danczuk: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of his Department's aid to Pakistan was spent in the Pakistan-administered areas of Kashmir in the latest period for which figures are available.

Andrew Mitchell: The UK supports national programmes in Pakistan that work in, and benefit, Pakistan-administered Kashmir including the National Maternal, Newborn and Child Health programme. The proportion of this aid spent in Pakistan-administered Kashmir cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost. UK bilateral aid to Pakistan in 2009-10 totalled £140.4 million.
	The UK repaired 450,000 damaged houses and financed building 16 new schools and 40 bridges in Pakistan-administered Kashmir as part of the Department for International Development's (DFID) earthquake reconstruction and rehabilitation programme. A number of these projects are now reaching completion, with the overall spend currently totalling £48,377,792, 58% of the £84 million committed.
	In addition, DFID provides funding to the Conflict Pool, which is a joint Foreign and Commonwealth Office, DFID and Ministry of Defence fund that runs a number of programmes in Pakistan. The value of these programmes in Pakistan-administered Kashmir over the past five years was £1,108,256.

Tanzania: BAE Systems

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development for what reasons his Department recommended that funds agreed with the Serious Fraud Office should be paid by BAE to the Government of Tanzania rather than to Tanzanian charities; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Mitchell: In February 2010, the Department for International Development received a request for advice from the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) about how to ensure that any money paid to Tanzania, as a result of its settlement with BAE, would be given in a way that would benefit the people of Tanzania, with propriety and transparency.
	In the course of discussions, DFID advised that a good approach, which would achieve value for money, developmental impact and the broadest benefit to the Tanzanian people would be to make a payment via Government of Tanzania systems, with the funds ring-fenced for specific development results (in the education sector) and subject to independent, international-standard audit.
	In Tanzania, government systems reliably reach most people. Donors, including the UK, already provide significant development assistance through Government systems. This money is appropriated by the Tanzanian Parliament and audited by the Controller and Auditor General, and is subject to donor monitoring procedures.
	Spending through non-government organisations or an entirely new mechanism were considered, but the use of Government systems was deemed to be a good method for achieving value for money and wide impact with minimal additional administration cost.
	No proposals for making payments outside of Government systems have been discussed with DFID.

Yemen: International Assistance

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funding his Department has provided for the activities of UNICEF and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Yemen in 2011.

Alan Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) is providing the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) with £6 million of funding for work in Yemen in 2011. This funding will go towards addressing the basic humanitarian needs of the children of Yemen, including preventing 11,000 under five-year-olds dying from malnutrition; vaccinating 54,000 children for measles; and improving education for at least 200,000 children.
	We have not provided the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) funding for work in Yemen. In view of the current uncertainty in Yemen, we are keeping all our commitments under continuous review.

Yemen: International Assistance

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to ensure the accountability of UNICEF and the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Yemen for funding for his Department for activities in Yemen in 2011.

Alan Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) setting out these agencies' obligations in respect of humanitarian funding provided by DFID in 2011. Under these MoUs both agencies will submit regular reports on progress, which will allow DFID to track project expenditure and progress against agreed targets. DFID will also monitor progress through our presence on the OCHA Emergency Relief Fund Advisory Board and meetings with agencies.
	DFID has not provided the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) funding for work in Yemen. In view of the current uncertainty in Yemen, we are keeping all our commitments under continuous review.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Air Pollution

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to reduce the effects on health of levels of air quality.

Richard Benyon: The Government take air quality issues seriously and have committed to a number of initiatives which will reduce air pollution (targeting transport in the main), including: over £400 million for measures to promote the uptake of ultra-low carbon vehicle technologies; a £560 million Local Sustainable Transport Fund to provide funding for local authorities to support sustainable travel; and a £45 million Green Bus Fund to encourage the uptake of low-emission buses.
	The Government also recently committed £5 million to fund a programme of localised measures designed to reduce concentrations of particulate matter in London—the only UK location assessed to have areas that do not comply with the European limit value for this pollutant.
	The Government are reviewing what further action can be taken to communicate the impacts of air pollution more effectively, and, through a partnership approach, establish stronger messages about tackling the health impacts of air pollution and what action people can take to reduce air pollution. Examples of such initiatives include ‘active travel’, which promotes walking and cycling, leading to reduced health risks and improved air quality; and ‘smarter choices’ measures aimed at behaviour change. The Government will continue to investigate measures to improve air quality and will shortly be consulting on their plans to achieve limit values for nitrogen dioxide.

Bovine Tuberculosis: Vaccination

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what recent assessment her Department has made of the efficiency and viability of inoculating badgers against bovine tuberculosis; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what her policy is on the level of evidence required in respect of the viability of inoculation of badgers to establish that method as a means to prevent the spread of bovine tuberculosis.

James Paice: A licensed injectable badger TB vaccine is already available for use on prescription. Experimental studies have demonstrated that vaccination is safe and effective in reducing the progression and spread of TB in badgers. DEFRA is funding a Badger Vaccine Deployment Project to assess the practicality of vaccination in the field and to train lay vaccinators. However, while we would expect vaccination to result in reduced transmission of bovine TB to cattle, we currently have no hard evidence on this. Therefore, the precise contribution vaccination could make to reducing disease in cattle is unknown.
	It is important to note that vaccines can never represent a single answer to the problem of bovine TB. Vaccination is a risk reduction measure, most likely to be successful in controlling bovine TB when used alongside other disease control measures.
	Despite the relative lack of scientific evidence, the public consultation document made clear that we do see a role for vaccination. We are carefully considering the large number of responses we received to the consultation.

Chewing Gum: Waste Disposal

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on requiring companies involved in the production of chewing gum to contribute towards the clean-up of discarded gum from streets.

Richard Benyon: holding answer 23 May 2011
	There are no plans at present to require companies involved in the production of chewing gum to make a financial contribution towards the clean-up of discarded gum.
	However, the Government continue to work for changed behaviour on littering, for instance through the work of the Chewing Gum Action Group funded by gum manufacturers, and with Keep Britain Tidy through the ‘Love Where You Live’ campaign funded by business.

Circuses: Animal Welfare

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what contact officials of her Department have had with legal representatives of the European Circus Association; and on what dates.

James Paice: We do not maintain a record of every contact that organisations, such as the European Circus Association (ECA), has with officials, but it has had frequent contact with officials during the last five years.

Departmental Billing

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what mechanism her Department has established to ensure its payments are passed through the supply chain to each tier in accordance with the last date for payment defined in the Government's Fair Payment guidance.

Richard Benyon: DEFRA and its Executive agencies request its suppliers to adopt and follow the Governments Fair Payment guidance.
	Most of the expenditure of the core Department is on services, rather than goods. Much of the supplier responsibility fails, therefore, on prompt and correct payment of supplier staff salaries. Where goods are concerned, the spread of Tier 2 and 3 suppliers can be very wide and to collect data across such a wide range of organisations would not be efficient or effective and would incur additional cost.

Departmental Coordination: Communities and Local Government

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what dates (a) Ministers and (b) officials in her Department have met their counterparts in the Department for Communities and Local Government in 2011 to date.

Richard Benyon: Ministers in my Department have met with Ministers in the Department for Communities and Local Government on 2 February, 25 March, 28 March, 31 March, and 9 May on a bilateral basis. We also meet regularly with CLG Ministers at Cabinet, Home Affairs Committee, Economic Affairs Committee, Sub-Committee on Efficiency and Reform, Public Expenditure Committee, Sub-Committee on Threats, Hazards, Resilience and Contingencies, Sub-Committee on Public Health and the ministerial Green Breakfast that my Department hosts. Officials in both Departments have regular meetings and discussions together most weekdays to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest.

Departmental Legal Opinion

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many prosecutions have been brought as a result of the work of her Department's legal team in each of the last five years for each type of offence; and how many convictions for each type of offence have resulted from such prosecutions in each of the last five years.

Richard Benyon: holding answer 13 May 2011
	The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Manpower

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy to publish monthly information on changes in the numbers of her Department's employees categorised by (a) seniority, (b) number of employees taking voluntary redundancy, (c) natural wastage and (d) involuntary redundancy.

Richard Benyon: The Government are committed to transparency and the availability of data and are currently exploring options for the more frequent publication of this type of work force management information across the civil service.

Departmental Research

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what (a) longitudinal and (b) other (i) research and (ii) collection of data her Department has (A) initiated, (B) terminated and (C) amended in the last 12 months; and what such research and data collection exercises undertaken by the Department have not been amended in that period.

Richard Benyon: This information cannot be provided due to disproportionate costs.

Departmental Travel

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much each executive agency of her Department has spent on travel by (a) private hire vehicles, (b) trains, (c) buses, (d) commercial aircraft and (e) private aircraft since May 2010.

Richard Benyon: The information requested is included in the following table.
	
		
			  Executive Agencies 
			 £ 
			  RPA CEFAS FERA VMD AH VLA 
			 (a) private hire vehicles (may include Taxis unless stated) 67,587 63,754 23,432 7,568 50,259 75,060 
			 (b)trains 331,554 193,247 272,397 (1)97,644 205,932 (1)110,981 
			 (c) buses 1,151 4,921 not available (1)— 4,032 (1)— 
			 (d) commercial aircraft 49,423 224,826 144,165 (1)— 95,768 150,484 
			 (e) private aircraft 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 (1) Indicates brace. Notes:  1. The VMD does not record the costs of public transport types (bus, train, etc) separately other than hire cars. Instead it records the “reason for travel”, which is a more useful measure for understanding and controlling travel costs. Assuming “since May” means from 1 May 2010 to 30 April 2011 2. VLA. Trains and buses are not recorded separately (they are both included in the public transport figure), any ‘private hire vehicles’ would be included in the taxi figure. All figures are for period 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011 3. CEFAS. This expenditure covers the financial period of 2010-11 and includes journeys undertaken in the fulfilment of non-government customer contracts. The travel cost for these non-government contracts is reimbursed by the recipient of these services in the charges made and income received. 4. FERA The analysis is provided by the main travel provider, further travel costs for these areas will have been via expenses through GPC, expenses claims, and other organisations. We do not capture this level of detail within our Ledgers. Period is May2010 to March 2011. RPA Expenditure is for the period May 2010 to March 2011. The figure for Private Hire vehicles excludes taxis 
		
	
	The information is provided on the basis that the final accounts for the year 2010-11 are still being audited by the NAO.

Departmental Travel

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much her Department spent on special advisers’ travel by (a) Government car, (b) private hire car, (c) train, (d) bus, (e) commercial aircraft and (f) private aircraft since May 2010.

Richard Benyon: Since May 2010, the Department has spent £1,336.47 on travel for special advisers. This can be broken down into £739.08 on domestic rail travel and £597.39 on Eurostar.

Fishery Agreements: Morocco

Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 4 May 2011, Official Report, column 785W, on the EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement, if she will oppose any extension to the agreement.

Richard Benyon: DEFRA is waiting for the European Commission to come forward with the proposals which will formally put into effect the extension of the EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement up until February 2012. Once the proposals have been received, DEFRA will have to be convinced that there is enough evidence that the population of the Western Sahara will benefit from the agreement before supporting any extension to it.

Fishing Catches

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with large retailers and food producers on fish discards.

Richard Benyon: As Minister for Fisheries, I have an open dialogue with large retailers and food producers on a number of key issues including fish discards. More recently, I have met with Sainsbury's and Young's who are active stakeholders promoting the consumption of underutilised fish species (like gurnard and red mullet) which account for 54% of the fish currently being discarded.
	Discussions take place at official level on a regular basis with a number of large retailers and food producers via stakeholder fora, such as the Discards Action Group established by Seafish.

Forests: Ecuador

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the proposals of the Government of Ecuador for the preservation of the Yasuni forest.

James Paice: DEFRA is aware of proposals relating to the Yasuni forest. These proposals raise a number of technical questions, including ones concerning environmental and social safeguard policies to ensure that investments do not have unintended harmful consequences, and concerning the permanence of the arrangements to conserve the Yasuni region.
	Funding has been committed over the next four years (2011-15) through the International Climate Fund to help developing countries respond to climate change, and a substantial part of this funding is likely to be focused on forests of Ecuador.

Hares: Conservation

Neil Parish: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the aims set out in the Biodiversity Action Plan in respect of the brown hare population have been met.

Richard Benyon: The UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP) set many hundreds of targets including the following targets for brown hares: to increase the population of brown hares to double the 1995 level by 2010; and to maintain the range of the brown hare at the 2006 level (these targets did not apply to Northern Ireland).
	We do not have data for the target concerning the range of the brown hare but the data we have shows that the population of brown hares in Great Britain has continued to increase since the 1980s although not at the rate needed to meet the target in the UKBAP.

Inland Waterways

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she has taken to ensure that the Environment Agency navigations can transfer to the proposed new waterways charity in 2015-16; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Benyon: The Government are committed to delivering a national trust for the waterways over time, which includes both the British Waterways and Environment Agency navigations.
	There will be a phased approach to the delivery of this vision, so that assets and liabilities can be transferred sustainably. Under this phased approach the Environment Agency navigations, subject to the agreement of the trustees of the new waterways charity, would transfer to the new charity in the next spending review period (2015-16).
	To ensure a smooth transition, a review will be undertaken in 2014 to assess the progress and achievements of the new charity and to consider the options to enable the transfer of the Environment Agency navigations.

Motor Vehicles: Sales

Rebecca Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations she has received on the operation of online car trading businesses from residential properties; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Benyon: Under the provisions of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 it is an offence to expose or advertise for sale two or more motor vehicles parked on a road or roads within 500 metres of each other. DEFRA has not received any recent representations on the operation of these provisions.

River Rom: Pollution

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she made of the effects on wildlife of levels of pollution in the River Rom.

Richard Benyon: The Environment Agency (EA) assesses the River Rom under the water framework directive. Since 2010 it has been carrying out investigations to identify issues, such as the impact of poor water quality on aquatic life.
	The EA is working with Thames Water to tackle poor water quality by addressing misconnections and identifying improvements that are needed to its combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and surcharging sewers.
	The EA is aware that there are problems associated with urban diffuse pollution in this area and is identifying the source, where it does not relate to misconnections and CSOs. It is working with relevant local authorities and other implicated parties towards addressing these issues.
	Long-term problems associated with the quality and quantity of urban surface run-off entering the river put fish populations at risk. Silt deposits are often formed in the lower reaches of the River Rom because of the shallow gradient in the channel. Plant and invertebrate communities show limited diversity as a result of these silt deposits and elevated pollution levels.

River Thames: Standards

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to ensure the cleanliness and water quality of the River Thames.

Richard Benyon: In 2009, the Environment Agency published the Thames River Basin Management Plan, which sets out the pressures on the River Thames and the actions needed to address them. The Environment Agency and its partners are now carrying out these actions. Where the Environment Agency does not know the causes of water quality problems and the best methods for tackling them it is carrying out a programme of investigations to inform its future approach.
	A significant improvement to cleanliness and water quality will be achieved through the London Tideway Improvements scheme, which will tackle pollution from urban wastewater and ensure the Thames meets the requirements of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
	The scheme is being delivered by Thames Water and will:
	(a) limit pollution from combined sewer overflows through the addition of two new storage and transfer tunnels: the Lee Tunnel and Thames Tunnel, which will intercept and transport storm sewage to the Beckton sewage treatment works; and
	(b) improve the treatment capacity and effluent quality at five sewage treatment works: Mogden, Crossness, Beckton, Long Reach and Riverside.

Sustainable Development

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what dates the (a) Sustainable Development Programme Board and (b) Sustainable Development Policy Working Group have met since May 2010; and when their next scheduled meetings are.

James Paice: holding answer 23 May 2011
	The Sustainable Development Programme met on 1 July, 28 September and 9 December 2010 and the Sustainable Development Policy Working Group met on 3 June, 9 September and 4 November 2010. There were also interdepartmental meetings on sustainable development, Greening Government and the Greening Government commitments on the following dates: 14 July 2010, 5 October 2010, 8 February 2011 and 18 February 2011.
	Apart from day to day discussions between officials, plans for standing engagement between DEFRA and other Departments on sustainable development are currently under review within our approach of mainstreaming sustainable development across Government.

Water: EU Law

Marcus Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what proportion of waterways owned by the Crown Estate is expected to achieve (a) good ecological status and (b) good ecological potential under the Water Framework Directive by 2015;
	(2)  how many weirs owned by the Crown Estate are without fully functional all-fish species passes which comply with the provision of the Water Framework Directive.

Justine Greening: I have been asked to reply.
	The Crown Estate grants agricultural tenancies on land which includes inland waterways. The lessees are responsible for maintenance. The Crown Estate is not aware of any waterways and weirs that it owns which do not comply with the Waterways Framework Directive.

HEALTH

Cancer Drugs Fund

Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the operation of the Cancer Drugs Fund; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: We have received representations from hon. Members, noble Lords, and members of the public on how the fund has been operating. This includes many welcoming the additional support we are giving to cancer patients in need.
	Over 2,400 patients have already benefitted from the additional funding provided up to the start of April 2011, and the additional £600 million we have committed over the next three years will improve the lives of thousands more cancer sufferers.

NHS Financial Performance

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the financial performance of the NHS in 2010-11; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: The national health service is in a strong financial position. At Quarter 3 of 2010-11; the strategic health authorities and primary care trusts were forecasting an overall surplus of £1,269 million, and the NHS trust sector was forecasting an overall surplus of £132 million. We expect the 2010-11 final year end surplus to be no less than this forecast.

Influenza Vaccine

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive on the availability of influenza vaccine for winter 2011-12.

Anne Milton: The Department has had an initial exchange of views with the Scottish Executive on planning for the seasonal flu vaccination programme for winter 2011-12.
	Ordering of flu vaccine in England is the responsibility of general practitioner practices. Central Government will procure a small central strategic reserve to mitigate the risk of local shortages in England.
	The Scottish Executive centrally procures seasonal flu vaccine for the Scottish health service.

NHS: Competition and Collaboration

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the potential role of (a) competition and (b) co-operation and collaboration in the NHS.

Simon Burns: Both co-operation and competition have important roles to play in improving services for patients. We want to see better integration of services to improve quality and increased choice for patients.
	This is a key theme of the current listening exercise on national health service modernisation. The NHS Future Forum is seeking views on the development of choice and competition in the NHS and we look forward to the forum's report.

GP Commissioning Consortia

Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the redundancy costs of staff of primary care trusts and strategic health authorities eligible to be employed by GP commissioning consortia.

Simon Burns: The impact assessment estimated that redundancies would cost £852 million for primary care trusts and strategic health authorities. It also explained how our proposals for modernising the national health service would save £1.7 billion a year in administration spending by 2014-15, to reinvest in front-line patient care.

Emergency Planning

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for the future of the responsibilities of primary care trusts in emergency planning.

Anne Milton: As the right hon. Member is aware, the Government are at the end of the NHS Listening Exercise, during which we have heard a wide range of views. Future responsibility for emergency planning will be made clear in the near future.
	The delivery of health care resilience is currently through a combination of roles and responsibilities across a number of national health service organisations, and the Health Protection Agency.
	Health care resilience is part of much wider planning for emergencies both at a local level, including local authorities, ambulance trusts, fire brigades and police forces and at a national level by Government Departments and agencies.

Health and Social Care Bill

Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to table amendments for consideration during the Report stage of the Health and Social Care Bill.

Simon Burns: The NHS Future Forum are now reflecting on what they have heard and will be publishing their report shortly. We will then respond and set out the improvements to the Health and Social Care Bill.

Care Quality Commission

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the average amount of Care Quality Commission staff time needed to conduct a service review for an (a) NHS trust, (b) independent hospital and (c) adult social care provider, broken down by (i) time for site visit, (ii) review and assessment of (A) information held by the Care Quality Commission on the organisation and (B) completed provider compliance assessments and (iii) completion and publication of a report.

Simon Burns: In terms of delivering its regulatory functions, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) is an independent body and is therefore responsible for determining the time needed to undertake reviews of registered services in order to carry out its functions efficiently and effectively.
	The time taken to carry out a service review varies enormously depending on the circumstances, size and nature of the service. We are advised by the CQC that the information requested is not gathered centrally.
	The CQC is, however, currently conducting an activity-based management review with a sample of compliance staff to study the time demands of the different parts of the regulatory process. Once complete, the findings will be used to establish the value of activity-based information in carrying out the commission’s regulatory functions, and will inform the CQC’s ongoing resource planning.

Care Quality Commission

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what training staff at the Care Quality Commission will receive on registration and inspection of (a) dental services and (b) GP services.

Simon Burns: In terms of delivering its regulatory functions, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) is an independent body and it is therefore for the CQC to determine the appropriate training staff require so that the CQC can carry out its functions efficiently and effectively.
	The following information has been provided by the CQC.
	CQC staff have received specific training relating to dentistry which includes:
	a sector overview of primary dental care;
	system training including the registration process for primary dental care providers; and
	training on compliance monitoring of primary dental care providers.
	Specific training relating to general practitioners will include (this has not been rolled out universally yet):
	sector overview of primary medical care;
	system training including the registration process for primary medical care providers; and
	training on compliance monitoring of primary medical care providers.

Care Quality Commission

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the maximum amount of time that can elapse is before a health or social care provider will receive a site inspection under the Care Quality Commission’s regulation methodology.

Simon Burns: Under the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) current methodology, every provider should be reviewed at least every two years. However, in line with the principles of proportionate, risk-based regulation, the CQC carries out site visits based on its judgment of risk and where a site visit is the most effective way of gathering information about compliance. This enables the CQC to target its resources on providers where the risk is highest, while reducing the regulatory burden on providers where the risk is low. Site visits will therefore take place wherever necessary to gather information about compliance.

Care Quality Commission

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration the Care Quality Commission gives to provider self-assessment in its assessment of whether a health or social care provider is compliant with its essential standards.

Simon Burns: The following information has been provided by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
	The CQC uses its quality and risk profiles (QRP) and its Outliers programme (which identifies services whose performance lies outside the expected range) to identify the risk of non-compliance by registered providers with the safety and quality registration requirements.
	Providers self assessments of compliance are not included in either the QRP or the Outliers programme. The purpose of provider compliance assessments is to help the provider itself in considering whether it is compliant with the safety and quality requirements. Provider compliance assessments are not mandatory. When carrying out a review, the CQC may ask to see any provider compliance assessment that has been undertaken and this information may add to the evidence base upon which the inspectors judgment is founded. However the provider compliance assessment will not form part of the decision to undertake a responsive review.

Care Quality Commission

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many separate indicators are available within the Care Quality Commission's quality and risk profiles for (a) NHS providers, (b) independent health care providers and (c) adult social care providers.

Simon Burns: The following information has been provided by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
	The precise number of indicators used by CQC changes over time as data sets become less timely or are superseded by better data. The number of indicators for each provider is different as not all sources of data apply to all providers, depending upon the precise mix of services they provide. However, at the last update (10 May 2011) of the Quality and Risk Profile, the average number of separate indicators for each national health service provider was approximately 500 with approximately 50 indicators for independent health care and adult social care providers.

Care Quality Commission

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what proportion of the Care Quality Commission's assessors and inspectors hold a (a) nursing qualification, (b) social work qualification, (c) professional qualification in regulation and (d) another professional qualification relating to health or social care.

Simon Burns: It is for the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to determine the appropriate staffing complement and qualifications in order to carry out its functions efficiently and effectively.
	The following information has been provided by the CQC.
	As part of its recruitment process, the CQC does not specifically require inspectors and assessors to hold a nursing qualification, social work qualification, professional qualification in regulation or another professional qualification relating to health or social care. Therefore, the CQC does not have a record of these data.

Care Quality Commission

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what proportion of the Care Quality Commission's assessors and inspectors are registered with (a) the Nursing and Midwifery Council and (b) the General Social Care Council.

Simon Burns: It is for the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to determine the appropriate staffing complement and qualifications in order to carry out its functions efficiently and effectively.
	CQC has provided the following information.
	As part of its recruitment process, CQC does not specifically require inspectors and assessors to be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the General Social Care Council. Therefore, CQC does not hold these data.

Bowel Cancer: Older People

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to ensure that elderly patients are not underrepresented in clinical trials for bowel cancer therapies.

Paul Burstow: The Government are committed to opening up information about clinical trials in all therapeutic areas including bowel cancer, so that patients can find out about trials that may be relevant to their condition. The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is developing a web-based UK Clinical Trials Gateway. It will present, in accessible form, information about trials conducted in the United Kingdom. By 2012, the Gateway will make it easy for patients, their doctors and carers, friends and families to see what a trial is about, where it is taking place, and who is running it. It will help patients, including elderly patients to join in clinical trials if they are suitable and choose to do so with full information and advice.
	The NIHR encourages patients and the public to be actively involved in all NIHR-funded health and social care research. The NIHR funds INVOLVE which promotes active public participation in national health service, public health and social care research to improve the way that research is prioritised, commissioned, undertaken, communicated and used.

Cancer

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has taken to assess the effects of lifestyle and behaviour on rates of cancer.

Paul Burstow: The Department draws on evidence from a range of sources, including academic research, to assess links between lifestyles and rates of cancer; and this is kept under constant review. Evidence of the link between lifestyle behaviours—such as tobacco use (including smoking), alcohol consumption, drug misuse, poor diet and nutrition, being overweight or obese and physically inactive—is well established. This research shows that up to half of all cancers could be prevented by changes in lifestyle behaviours, so it is clear that these behaviours have an effect on cancer rates.
	“Healthy Lives, Healthy People: our strategy for public health in England” sets out our strategy for improving public health and reducing the risk factors associated with developing conditions such as cancer.

Cancer: Medical Treatments

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the capability of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to carry out appraisals for innovative inhibitor therapies for rare cancers where the target population is very small; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Wirral West (Esther McVey) on 23 May 2011, Official Report, column 426W.

Cancer: Waiting Lists

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time for cancer patients in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency to receive treatment (a) was in each year from May 2005 to April 2010 and (b) has been in 2011 to date.

Paul Burstow: Statistics on average waiting times between diagnosis and treatment for cancer are not collected centrally. The cancer waiting time standard of a maximum wait of 31 days from diagnosis to first cancer treatment was introduced for all patients from December 2005. In the most recent period for which statistics are available (quarter 3 2010-11), 98.7%, of patients treated for cancer at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust began their treatment within 31 days.

Care Homes

Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department holds on the number of care homes in each region that were found not to be compliant with national minimum standard (a) 10.1 on privacy and dignity, (b) 9.6 on medicines management, (c) 12.2 and 15.4 on nutrition and (d) 18.1 on protection from abuse in each year since the standards were established.

Paul Burstow: The Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England and, as such, holds information on providers' compliance.
	Information showing where compliance with the national minimum standards was designated ‘not met’ or ‘almost met’ has been placed in the Library. The data are by financial year and by current region under the Care Standards Act 2000 from 1 April 2002 to 30 September 2010.
	Information showing the compliance and non-compliance of care homes in each region, and those in process of being assessed, has been placed in the Library. This covers the period 1 October 2010 onwards, by current region.

Colorectal Cancer: Health Services

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the 30-day mortality rate was for patients with a diagnosis of bowel cancer who received a major surgical resection for bowel cancer for each stage of cancer in each (a) provider, (b) cancer network and (c) strategic health authority in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Paul Burstow: The information is not available in the format requested. However, in April 2011 the National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN) published an eAtlas following a study of the 30-day mortality rate for patients with a diagnosis of bowel cancer, who received a major surgical resection. Information on the number of surgical resections and proportion of deaths is provided at trust and cancer network level for the period from 1998 to 2006 and is available on the NCIN website at:
	www.ncin.org.uk/cancer_type_and_topic_specific_work/cancer_type_specific_work/postoperative_mortality.aspx.
	An eAtlas of preliminary information for trusts with significantly better or worse post- operative mortality rates than expected during 2002 to 2006 was also published. This showed that the performance of trusts with worse than expected 30-day post-operative mortality rates in 2003 to 2006 had improved in 2007-08. The NCIN has advised that information for 2007-08 will be updated in due course when analysis is complete.
	A data briefing summarising some of the key findings in relation to year of diagnosis and stage of diagnosis is also available on the NCIN website.

Dental Services: Equipment

Natascha Engel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department holds on the number of people who are offered a statement of manufacture with their dental device.

Simon Burns: This information is not collected centrally.

Departmental Charitable Donations

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to encourage charitable giving by Ministers in his Department.

Simon Burns: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave him on 17 March 2011, Official Report, column 631W.

Departmental Equality

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what account he has taken of the effects of income inequality in the (a) formulation and (b) implementation of policy.

Anne Milton: “Healthy Lives, Healthy People”, the Public Health White Paper, accepted the analysis in the Marmot review on health inequalities (“Fair Society, Healthy Lives”, 2010) that emphasised the importance of social factors—including income inequalities—in shaping inequalities in health and contributing to wider disadvantage. This approach will underpin our efforts to strengthen public health and narrow the health gap by improving the health of the poorest fastest.
	Subject to the passage of the Health and Social Care Bill, from 2013-14, the Department will allocate a ring-fenced public health grant to local authorities, weighted for inequalities. A new health premium will reward communities for the improvements in health outcomes they achieve, and incentivise action to reduce health inequalities. Disadvantaged areas will see a greater premium if they make progress, recognising that they face the greatest challenges.

Departmental Manpower

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to publish monthly information on changes in the numbers of his Department's employees categorised by (a) seniority, (b) voluntary redundancy, (c) natural wastage and (d) involuntary redundancy.

Simon Burns: Cabinet Office has recently commissioned monthly workforce management reports from Departments across Whitehall, which include numbers of, and expenditure on, permanent and non-permanent workers. This forms part of the Government's cross-departmental transparency agenda. This information will be made publicly available in due course.
	The Department already publishes its annual resource accounts, which include workforce information. It also provides quarterly returns (Quarterly Public Sector Employment Surveys) to the Office of National Statistics (ONS) and an annual return to ONS for their Annual Civil Service Employment Survey. The Department also publishes, again, as part of the Government's transparency agenda, organograms (organisational structure charts) which include staffing structures, numbers and pay levels.

Drugs: Misuse

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many heroin addicts were treated with diamorphine in the latest period for which figures are available.

Anne Milton: A national survey of a one in four sample of community pharmacies in England and Wales in 1995 reported that 64 people were receiving diamorphine prescriptions for opiate addiction. (Published in “Drug and Alcohol Review”, Volume 16, Issue 1, pages 7-16. March 1997.)
	In 2009 the Specialist Clinicians in Addiction Network and the Substance Misuse Management in General Practice network facilitated a survey by the National Treatment Agency. The numbers of respondents to this survey were too small for it to have independent validity, but the results were of the same general order as the 1995 data.

Enforcement Actions

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many applications for registration have been refused for (a) NHS trusts, (b) independent healthcare providers and (c) adult social care providers in each of the last three years.

Simon Burns: The following information has been provided by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
	
		
			 Number of applications for registration refused 
			   Independent health care providers Adult social care providers 
			 Financial year NHS trusts CSA HSCA CSA HSCA 
			 2010-11 0 35 1 0 2 
			 2009-10 0 62 — 0 — 
			 2008-09(1) n/a 24 — 21 — 
			 n/a = Not applicable. NHS providers were not required to register prior to 1 April 2009. (1) These are applications for registration refused by CQC’s predecessor bodies, the Healthcare Commission and Commission for Social Care Inspection. CSA = Applications where registration was refused under the Care Standards Act 2000. HSCA = Applications where registration was refused under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

General Practitioners

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will prepare guidance to general practitioners on the collection of psychosocial data to assist in the health care of patients.

Simon Burns: No. General practitioners already collect a range of personal information about patients registered with them that is relevant to their health needs. In addition, guidance issued by the General Medical Council, “Good Medical Practice”, states that:
	“Good clinical care must include adequately assessing the patient's conditions, taking account of the history (including the symptoms, and psychological and social factors), the patient's views, and where necessary examining the patient.”

General Practitioners

Duncan Hames: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department has prepared guidance on remuneration for board members of GP consortia.

Simon Burns: Subject to the NHS Listening Exercise and the passage of the Health and Social Care Bill, we propose that commissioning consortia must have a constitution, which will specify the arrangements for how it will discharge its functions, including in relation to determining the remuneration and terms and conditions of its employees. The arrangements may also include provision for the appointment of committees of a consortium, and for such committees to include persons other than members of employees of consortia. The Department has not issued guidance on remuneration arrangements of consortia.

Haematological Cancer

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps he is taking to ensure that all blood cancer patients have access to a clinical nurse specialist;
	(2)  what steps he is taking to improve blood cancer survival outcomes; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what support the NHS provides to blood cancer patients who wish to remain in or return to the workforce.

Paul Burstow: “Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer”, published on 12 January, sets out a range of actions to improve survival outcomes for all cancers in England, including haematological cancers. These actions include diagnosing symptomatic cancer earlier, helping people to live healthier lives to reduce the incidence of preventable cancers, screening more people, introducing new screening programmes and ensuring that all patients have access to the best possible treatment, care and support. A copy of the strategy has already been placed in the Library.
	We know that cancer patients greatly value the care and support of clinical nurse specialists (CNSs). The results of the 2010 Cancer Patient Experience Survey show that 81% of haematological cancer patients reported having a CNS. To support the national health service to develop the CNS work force, the strategy sets out our intention to build the evidence base for the benefits and costs savings that CNSs can offer. This follows an independent report we published in December 2010 that showed that, in many scenarios, the costs of additional support roles are likely to be outweighed by the savings that can be achieved.
	For many people with cancer, being supported to stay in or return to work can provide a huge boost to self-esteem, financial security and emotional wellbeing. Through the National Cancer Survivorship Initiative, we are working in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support to ensure that cancer survivors receive the support they need to live as healthy and as active a lifestyle as possible. This work includes looking at models of support to enable those cancer survivors who want to, to get back to work. Seven vocation rehabilitation pilots were established in 2010 to take this work forward, and these are set to run until July this year. The evaluation report on the pilots is due for publication in September 2011.

Health

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will evaluate research into the recovery rates of patients who are (a) married or in long-term relationships and (b) not married or in long-term relationships from (i) heart disease, (ii) cancer and (iii) mental health conditions.

Paul Burstow: Although the Department has not formally evaluated any research specifically in these areas it does aim to keep abreast of major developments in research relevant to its responsibilities. However, we do know that good social relationships and connectedness are associated with a range of positive outcomes, including better physical and mental health. Reducing isolation and building supportive social networks and relationships promotes good mental health and recovery as well as preventing mental health problems.
	Physical illness greatly increases the risk of mental illness and mental illness can itself be a causal factor in the onset of physical disease. Depression is associated with a two-fold increased risk of coronary heart disease and unhealthy behaviour such as poor diet, less exercise, self-harm and significantly greater prevalence of smoking and drug and alcohol misuse.

Health Services: Older People

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what documented procedures are in place for (a) GPs and (b) hospitals to ensure thorough and proper care of the elderly.

Paul Burstow: There are a number of indicators in both the Quality and Outcomes Framework for General Practitioners and the NHS Operating framework for hospitals to support better care for older people around dementia care, hospital acquired infections, readmission rates and non-payment for emergency readmissions. In future, all licensed doctors will need to revalidate regularly, if they wish to keep their license to practise up to date and fit to practise. However, the content and standard of health care training is the responsibility of the independent regulatory bodies.
	The Government are also funding several national audits on continence, falls and bone health, hip fracture, dementia care in general hospital through the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership by involving all hospitals to promote transparent information about care gaps. There are National Institute for health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines in place for a range of conditions and pathways affecting older people including continence, nutrition, delirium, dementia, falls and bone health.
	In addition, local commissioning is also informed by joint strategic needs assessments for the local population and the Care Quality Commission also has a regulation and inspection function for primary care services. However many of these solutions depend on high quality local clinical leadership and advocacy from professional bodies such as royal colleges and specialist societies.

Health Services: Learning Disability

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps he is taking to ensure that people with profound and multiple learning difficulties have access to personalised services; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what recent representations his Department has received on the personalisation of services for people with profound and multiple learning difficulties; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what steps his Department is taking to (a) monitor and (b) assess the effectiveness of the personalisation of services for people with profound and multiple learning difficulties; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Burstow: The Department is not directly involved in monitoring or assessing services. The Care Quality Commission is responsible for assessing and ensuring the quality of its inspection and monitoring of specific providers on a day to day basis.
	We know that people with profound and multiple learning disabilities and those whose behaviours are viewed as challenging have not benefited from personalisation as much as they should have. The Government have encouraged a move away from out of area placement and the development of small-scale services which are closer to home.
	The Government are funding the Challenging Behaviour Foundation and the National Strategy Group for Challenging Behaviour to:
	strengthen their national network;
	support best practice to drive improvements in services; and
	develop a national care pathway with all key partners.
	In addition, we have driven forward work to improve the way in which the national health service responds to the needs of all people with learning disabilities, including general practitioners offering all people with learning disabilities annual health checks.
	The Department is working with strategic health authorities and primary care trusts to embed a health care self-assessment process which engages local decision makers, people with learning disabilities and their families to drive up quality of health care provision locally. The first section of standards explicitly refers to out of area placements and ensuring they are delivering for individuals.
	A number of representations have recently been made via parliamentary questions. I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for Arfon (Hywel Williams) on 26 April 2011, Official Report, columns 108-09W.

Health Services: Transsexuality

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has taken to raise awareness of the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities among health professionals.

Paul Burstow: The Department has published a series of guidance documents on sexual orientation and gender identity for health and social care professionals, which are available on the Department's website.
	In March 2011 the Department supported Stonewall to run a leadership programme for lesbian, gay and bisexual staff in the national health service. These staff will help form a key group of Champions to advance Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGB & T) equality at local level. The Department has recently confirmed that the National LGB & T Partnership will join its Strategic Partnership Programme for 2011-12 providing strategic advice on LGB & T health and social care issues.

Health: Children

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which longitudinal studies monitoring the physical health and emotional well-being of children his Department has undertaken in each of the last five years; when each study commenced; what each was monitoring; what the budget of each was in each year; what plans there were for the future of each such study; and what their budgets have been to date.

Simon Burns: The Millennium Cohort Study (MCS), commissioned by the Economic and Social Research Council, is a longitudinal study following the lives of around 19,000 children born in the United Kingdom in 2000-01. The MCS covers topics such as parenting, child care, school choice, child behaviour and cognitive development, child and parental health, parents' employment and education, income and poverty, housing, neighbourhood and residential mobility, and social capital and ethnicity. Funding support for the study is provided across Government, and the Department is contributing £1.1 million over the period from June 2001 to June 2014. The Department's spend on the MCS in each of the last five years is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  £ 
			 2006-07 100,000 
			 2007-08 100,000 
			 2008-09 82,000 
			 2009-10 97,000 
			 2010-11 121,000

Heart Diseases: Children

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what recent progress has been made on proposals to re-locate children's heart services in Hampshire to Bristol;
	(2)  for what reasons he proposes to re-locate children's heart services in Hampshire to Bristol.

Simon Burns: The “Safe and Sustainable” review of children's heart services in England is being conducted by the NHS Specialised Commissioning Team. We have however been following its progress.
	No decision has yet been made on the location of children's heart surgery units. The proposed options for children's congenital heart services are currently being consulted on. Patients and the public have the opportunity to make their views known during the formal public consultation process which closes on 1 July. This is an open consultation and is not pre-determined. Alternative options may be proposed and will be considered. The Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts, overseeing the consultation, will consider an independent analysis of the consultation responses, reports from overview and scrutiny committees, and a health impact assessment. The Committee is expected to make a decision in autumn 2011.

Heart Diseases: Children

Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the proportion of the population of England which lives within an hour's journey time of (a) the Freeman hospital, Newcastle and (b) Leeds general infirmary;
	(2)  on how many different sites at (a) the Freeman hospital, Newcastle and (b) Leeds general infirmary children's services are provided;
	(3)  whether post-operative care in the same unit is provided for children who have undergone heart surgery at (a) the Freeman hospital, Newcastle and (b) Leeds general infirmary;
	(4)  whether adult and children's heart surgery is carried out on the same site at (a) the Freeman hospital, Newcastle and (b) Leeds general infirmary;
	(5)  whether the Safe and Sustainable Reviews of specialist paediatric services, or any committee connected to the reviews, has engaged the services of a public affairs company or consultancy;
	(6)  what evidence his Department has evaluated on the incidence of congenital heart disease among minority ethnic communities from the Indian sub-continent.

Simon Burns: The Safe and Sustainable review of children's heart services in England is being conducted by the NHS Specialised Commissioning Team. However, we have been following its progress.
	Details about the travel analysis is available in appendix S, page 208 of the pre-business consultation case. This is available at:
	www.specialisedservices.nhs.uk/document/meeting-joint-committee-primary-care-trusts-jcpct-16th-february-2011-agenda
	We are informed that both the Freeman hospital and the Leeds general infirmary are single-site hospitals with children's services provided at both hospitals. At both hospitals, children receive post-operative care at the same hospital that provides heart surgery. Both the Freeman hospital and the Leeds general infirmary provide adult and children's heart surgery.
	The National Specialised Commissioning Team has engaged a communications company to assist with the production of public literature, the organisation of public events and media handling in relation to the Safe and Sustainable review of children's heart surgery services.
	The Department has made no evaluation of the incidence of congenital heart disease among minority ethnic communities from the Indian sub-continent. As part of the work on the Safe and Sustainable review the National Specialised Commissioning Team have developed projections of future activity, including considering the future needs of areas with high black and ethnic minority groups. This information is in annex 6 of the consultation document, which is available at:
	www.specialisedservices.nhs.uk/safeandsustainable/consultation_document

Hospitals: Television

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent estimate he has made of the (a) average daily charge and (b) total charges incurred by patients and their families for watching television in hospitals; and whether he plans to take steps to reduce such charges.

Simon Burns: The Department does not collect the information requested.
	Charges for television services are agreed locally between national health service trusts and their chosen suppliers. The Department has no authority to impose price changes on the suppliers of these services.

Infectious Diseases: Herbal Medicine

Harriett Baldwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the treatment of echinococcus multilocularis following the implementation of the EU Directive on Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products.

Simon Burns: No representations have been received in relation to the treatment of echinococcus multilocularis linked to the implementation of the European Directive 2004/24/EC on traditional herbal medicinal products.

Inspections

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of health and social care providers (a) will have received a site inspection in the inspection year to October 2011 and (b) will receive a site inspection in the year from October 2011 to October 2012.

Simon Burns: Under the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) current methodology, every provider should be reviewed at least every two years. However, in line with the principles of proportionate, risk-based regulation, the CQC carries out site visits based on its judgment of risk where a site visit is the most effective way of gathering information about compliance. This enables the CQC to target its resources on providers where the risk is highest, while reducing the regulatory burden on providers where the risk is low. Site visits will therefore take place wherever necessary to gather information about compliance.
	The CQC cannot predict the number of site visits which will take place, or proportion of providers visited, since decisions about whether a site visit is required are based on judgment of risk.

Leicester City Primary Care Trust: Diabetes

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much Leicester City Primary Care Trust spent on diabetes in each category of expenditure in the last financial year for which figures are available.

Paul Burstow: The information requested is not held centrally.
	Diabetes is a complex condition that can affect every part of the body, which means that it is difficult to calculate how much money has been spent on the treatment of diabetes. It is for national health service organisations to determine the needs of their local population and to allocate resources appropriately to meet these needs.

Leucodepletion

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on the decision to implement leucodepletion.

Anne Milton: There have been no discussions with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on the decision to implement leucodepletion. Leucodepletion, which removes the bulk of white cells from donated blood, was introduced in the United Kingdom in October 1999. The process reduces the risk of cytomegalovirus transmission, variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease transmission, transfusion related acute lung injury and transfusion-related fever.

Local Health Watch: Finance

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how Local Health Watch will be funded.

Simon Burns: Local HealthWatch organisations will be funded through the local authority formula-based grant.

London Ambulance Service: AssetCo

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what contracts the London Ambulance Service holds with AssetCo plc.

Simon Burns: This information is not collected centrally. The hon. Member may wish to approach London Ambulance Service NHS Trust directly for the information requested.

Medical Equipment

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether (a) Ministers and (b) officials of his Department have had recent discussions on the P-Capt filter.

Anne Milton: Ministers and officials have had no recent discussions on the P-Capt prion filter.
	The recommendations of the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO) on the potential use of prion filters are dependant upon study results. Ministers and officials will consider SaBTO's recommendations and the evidence in early 2012.

Medical Treatments

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the efficacy of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence topic selection procedure; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: The Department and the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) last reviewed NICE's topic selection processes for technology appraisals in 2008-09 and for clinical guidelines and public health guidance in 2006. Both reviews incorporated a public consultation.

Mental Health Services: Children

Brian Binley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many days were spent by children on adult mental health wards in each region in 2010-11.

Paul Burstow: The number of days spent by children and young people aged under 19 on adult mental health wards in each region in 2010-11 was as follows:
	
		
			 Number of occupied bed days spent by children on adult mental health wards in each region in 2010-11 
			   Number 
			 Q00 England 5,166 
			 Q30 North East strategic health authority 200 
			 Q31 North West strategic health authority 592 
			 Q32 Yorkshire and the Humber strategic health authority 1,077 
		
	
	
		
			 Q33 East Midlands strategic health authority 553 
			 Q34 West Midlands strategic health authority 577 
			 Q35 East of England strategic health authority 725 
			 Q36 London strategic health authority 337 
			 Q37 South East coast strategic health authority 356 
			 Q38 South Central strategic health authority 493 
			 Q39 South West strategic health authority 256 
			 Notes: 1. Number of occupied bed days spent by children on adult mental health wards in each region in 2010-11 Vital Signs Monitoring Return—Provider Based (VSMR-P)—CAMHS Data—SHA and Self Trusts. Year: 2010-11 Period Name: MARCH VSMRType: CAMHS  Extracted 25 May 2011 
		
	
	The figures include five bed days reported for under 16s on adult psychiatric wards. Two bed days were reported in Q3 2010-11 and found to be a reporting error. Three bed days (at two locations) were reported in Q4 2010-11. These cases are being investigated. The Government believes that an adult psychiatric ward is not an acceptable place for an under 16 year old to be treated.
	There is a legislative requirement that hospital managers must ensure that patients aged under 18 are treated in an environment in hospital which is suitable having regard to their age (subject to their needs). There can be circumstances where an adult psychiatric ward is an appropriate place for a 16 or 17 year old, e.g. overriding emergency, atypical case.

Multiple Sclerosis

Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department has made an assessment of the effectiveness of Sativex in alleviating symptoms of spasticity in multiple sclerosis patients.

Paul Burstow: We have made no such assessment.
	The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has not issued any guidance to the national health service on the use of Sativex.
	In the absence of final NICE guidance on a particular treatment, it is for primary care trusts to decide whether to fund the use of such drugs and patients have a right under the NHS constitution to expect local funding decisions to be made rationally and after an assessment of the available evidence.

National Clinical Directors

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to make any national clinical directors redundant under his plans for NHS reorganisation.

Simon Burns: The Government continue to value the contribution made by national clinical directors. The future provision of clinical and expert advice will be considered as part of the response to the current listening exercise on planned national health service reorganisation.

National Clinical Directors

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) title and (b) post holder is of each national clinical director in his Department; and for how many staff each director is responsible.

Simon Burns: The Department currently has 15.15 whole time equivalent (WTE) national clinical directors (NCDs). The following table provides a breakdown of their titles, the post holder and their WTE. The NCDs are not directly responsible for any Departmental staff.
	
		
			 Title Name WTE 
			 National Clinical Director for Diagnostic Imaging Erika Denton 0.3 
			 National Clinical Director for Endoscopy Roland Valori 0.3 
			 National Clinical Director for Patient and Public Affairs Joan Saddler 0.7 
			 National Clinical Director Medical Practitioners (Children, Young People and Maternity Services) Sheila Shribman 0.8 
			 National Clinical Director (Diabetes) Rowan Hillson 0.6 
			 National Clinical Director for Pathology Ian Barnes 0.6 
			 National Clinical Director (Cardiology) Roger Boyle 1 
			 National Clinical Director (Cancer) Mike Richards 1 
			 National Clinical Director (Transplants) Chris Rudge 0.8 
			 National Clinical Director (Respiratory) Robert Winter 0.25 
			 National Clinical Director for Community Pharmacy Jonathan Mason 0.5 
			 National Clinical Director for Hospitals Pharmacy Martin Stephens 0.5 
			 National Clinical Director (Urgent and Emergency Care) Matthew Cooke 0.4 
			 National Clinical Director for Informatics Charles Gutteridge 0.6 
			 National Clinical Director (Liver) Martin Lombard 0.5 
			 National Clinical Director (Renal) Donal O'Donoghue 0.6 
			 Chief Scientific Officer and National Clinical Director (Respiratory) Sue Hill 1 
			 National Clinical Director (Trauma) Keith Willett 0.6 
			 National Clinical Director for Offender Health Louis Appleby 1 
			 National Clinical Director (Dementia) Alistair Burns 0.5 
			 National Clinical Director (Older People) David Oliver 0.5 
			 National Clinical Director (Venous Thrombo-embolism VTE ) Anita Thomas 0.4 
			 National Clinical Director for Mental Health Hugh Griffiths 0.7 
			 National Clinical Director (Learning Disability) Anne Williams 0.5 
			 National Clinical Director (Learning Disability) Scott Watkins 0.5 
			 Total WTE — 15.15

National Health Service Litigation Authority

Yvonne Fovargue: To ask the Secretary of State for Health in how many cases the National Health Service Litigation Authority was successful in defending a claim of clinical negligence in each of the last three years; in how many such cases the authority recovered costs from the claimant or their insurers; and what the total costs recovered were, including disbursements and solicitors' costs.

Simon Burns: The information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Neuromuscular Services

Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made by the NHS North East Specialised Commissioning Group in reviewing neuromuscular services in the region; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Burstow: This is a matter for the national health service locally.
	The North East Specialised Commissioning Group is due to complete its review of neuromuscular services in the region in June 2011. We expect the findings of the report to be published.

NHS Trusts

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase the accountability of NHS trusts to the public.

Simon Burns: Foundation trusts are locally accountable to their governors, mostly members of the public, elected by the public. We intend all national health service trusts to become, or be part of, a foundation trust by 2014. Part 4 of the Health and Social Care Bill would clarify and strengthen the internal governance of foundation trusts, further promoting transparency and accountability of foundation trusts to their governors, members and the public.

NHS Trusts

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment has he made of the process by which NHS trusts appoint (a) chairs, (b) directors and (c) non-executive directors.

Simon Burns: The Secretary of State for Health delegates powers to appoint chairs and non-executive directors of national health service trusts to the Appointments Commission.
	These appointments are regulated by the Office of Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA). To ensure the Appointments Commission comply with the Commissioner's code of practice throughout the appointment process, they are regularly audited by OCPA and are required to submit an annual compliance statement to the Commissioner.
	NHS trusts are expected to comply with existing employment legislation and good human resources practice in the appointment of chief executives and executive directors. In addition, they are expected to comply with guidance sent from Sir David Nicholson, NHS Chief Executive, on 18 October 2006, ‘Appointments to the most senior posts in Primary Care Trusts and NHS Trusts’.

NHS: Databases

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the name is of each (a) NHS Commissioner and (b) provider of NHS-commissioned care that is not yet compliant with the IG toolkit requirement for the pseudonymisation of patient data and records.

Simon Burns: National health service commissioner and provider organisations publish on 31 March each year an information governance assessment using the online Information Governance Toolkit. The published returns for the pseudonymisation requirement that represent the position at 31 March 2011, have been placed in the Library.
	NHS organisations work continuously to maintain and improve performance in all aspects of information governance and those organisations that have not yet reached the required level of attainment are expected to have plans in place to do so during the course of this year.

NHS: Disadvantaged

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what means (a) Healthwatch, (b) health and wellbeing boards and (c) Public Health England will ensure that (i) homeless persons and (ii) other excluded and disadvantaged groups are treated as a priority in the NHS.

Simon Burns: The Government have made tackling health inequalities a priority as part of their commitment to fairness and social justice. Subject to the parliamentary process, Local HealthWatch organisations will be the local consumer voice for patients and the public. Local HealthWatch organisations will be inclusive and reflect the views and experiences of its diverse communities. For the local Health and Wellbeing Boards' forthcoming guidance on the Joint Strategic Needs Assessments and Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategies, there will be an emphasis on the need to look at the health and care needs of the whole population, including vulnerable groups such as rough sleepers. In addition, the new Public Health England will have an important role in working with the national health service, local government and other agencies to reduce inequalities, enabling and supporting individuals and communities to improve their own health.

NHS: Finance

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on reviewing funding for the NHS; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: Funding for health, alongside all other public services, was reviewed and set for the next four years as part of the comprehensive spending review, published in October 2010. The majority of health funding is currently allocated to primary care trusts (PCTs) and this was most recently reviewed and set for the current financial year (2011-12) in December 2010.
	For next year (2012-13), the usual process for reviewing the allocations of national health service funding continues. The Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation (ACRA) continually oversees the development of the weighted capitation formula which is used to allocate PCT funding. It makes recommendations to the Secretary of State for Health on potential changes to the formula between PCT allocation rounds.

NHS: Private Patients

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases were referred to the NHS from private health providers after (a) operations and (b) other treatment which were considered unsatisfactory by (i) the patient and (ii) their doctor in the latest period for which figures are available; and what estimate he has made of the cost of such referrals to the NHS.

Simon Burns: The information requested is not collected centrally.

NHS: Reforms

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he plans to take to ensure that national priorities and commitments are maintained and fulfilled at a local level following implementation of proposed reforms of the NHS.

Simon Burns: The Secretary of State remains accountable for the national health service. Subject to parliamentary approval for the Health and Social Care Bill, the Government will set national objectives and requirements for the NHS Commissioning Board through a mandate, and will hold the Board to account for its performance. In turn, the Board will hold commissioning consortia to account for the outcomes they achieve and the NHS resources used to achieve those results. The Secretary of State will also make a limited number of ‘standing rules’ setting requirements for the board and consortia through regulations.

NHS: Research

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will bring forward amendments to the Health and Social Care Bill to establish a duty on the Secretary of State and all relevant NHS bodies to promote research.

Simon Burns: The Government have used the natural break in the parliamentary timetable to take the opportunity to pause and listen to views on plans to modernise the national health service, including regarding the role of NHS bodies in promoting research. The Government will consider comments regarding the need to establish a duty on all relevant NHS bodies to promote research during the current pause and as the Bill progresses through Parliament.

NHS: Sick Leave

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what levels of staff sickness there were in the NHS in (a) 2008, (b) 2009 and (c) 2010 for each (i) hospital trust and (ii) primary care trust.

Simon Burns: The NHS Information Centre (NHS IC) has published monthly sickness absence rates in a quarterly publication derived from the Electronic Staff Record since April 2009. These can be found on their website at:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/workforce/sickness-absence
	Rates for individual hospital trusts and primary care trusts can be found in Table 5 of the Excel tables.
	There is no published sickness absence data for before April 2009 and the NHS IC does not publish annual rates.

Older People: Domestic Accidents

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps he is taking to improve access to fall prevention services for elderly people;
	(2)  what steps he is taking to encourage older people at risk of falling to take part in evidence-based exercise programmes;
	(3)  what steps he is taking to encourage physical activity in older people.

Paul Burstow: The Prevention Package for Older People comprises information for commissioners on several aspects of falls and falls prevention services, including “Effective Interventions in Health and Social Care” that provides guidance on: improving patient outcomes and efficiency of care after hip fractures through compliance with core standards; responding to a first fracture and preventing the second; early intervention to restore independence—through falls care pathways, linking acute and urgent care services to secondary prevention of further falls and injuries; and preventing frailty, promoting bone health and reducing accidents—through encouraging physical activity and healthy lifestyle, and reducing unnecessary environmental hazards.
	The Prevention Package, and other resources such as NHS Choices and the “Be active, be healthy” initiative all actively promote the value to people of all ages of a healthy lifestyle, including weight bearing exercise, exposure to natural daylight and a balanced diet to promote increased bone mineral density and so reduce the risks of osteoporosis and frailty in later life.

Older People: Weather

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to protect vulnerable elderly people from the effects of cold weather.

Anne Milton: There is substantial public health planning in England before and during the winter season.
	Effective planning is dependent on joint partnerships with local government, the focal civil society and the national health service. The Department also has worked with the Met Office on winter cold weather warning systems and a respiratory disease warning system for those working with vulnerable people.
	The programme also includes the annual seasonal influenza vaccination programme which offers free flu jabs to people most at risk from potentially life-threatening complications of flu. The Government also ran a new website service, Winter Watch as well as its annual Keep Warm Keep Well Campaign for 2010-11 which provides advice on staying warm over the winter and staying in touch with people who may be vulnerable during cold weather, including the elderly, in order to reduce illness and deaths.
	As part of our further work on effective public health for winter, the Department has been working with the Met Office, other Government Departments and public health champions in a number of regions to improve the way we communicate with people in local settings to accurately predict cold weather and provide an appropriate and effective response. A pilot project has been run this past winter of a draft cold weather plan with a view to having it in place for winter 2011-12.

Orphan Drugs

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps he is taking to ensure that treatments for ultra orphan conditions are referred to the Advisory Group on National Specialised Services; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what steps he is taking to implement the recommendations of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence memorandum Appraising Orphan Drugs; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what discussions his Department has had with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on its memorandum Appraising Orphan Drugs; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: We have no plans to ask the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to establish a separate appraisal system for drugs for very rare conditions, nor have we had any recent discussions with NICE on its 2006 report on this issue.
	The great majority of new drugs and significant licence extensions are considered through the topic selection process for NICE'S technology appraisal programme. If NICE considers that by undertaking an appraisal it would not be able to add value, then for high cost, low volume drugs for very rare conditions, NICE can send the technology to the Advisory Group for National Specialised Services (AGNSS) for assessment for possible inclusion in the arrangements for national specialised commissioning.
	The requirements for entry into the AGNSS arrangements are set out in the statement of scope and the decision-making framework which are available on the specialised services website at:
	www.specialisedservices.nhs.uk/info/new-technologies

Paramedical Staff: Crimes of Violence

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many paramedics in each region have been injured as a result of assault while on duty in each of the last three years.

Simon Burns: The information is not available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
	Information on the number of reported physical assaults against National health service staff is contained in the ‘Tables showing number of reported physical assaults on NHS staff from 2004-05 to 2007-08, broken down by NHS trust/PCT’, ‘Tables showing number of reported physical assaults on NHS staff in 2008-09, broken down by NHS trust/PCT’ and ‘Tables showing number of reported physical assaults on NHS staff in 2009-10, broken down by NHS trust/PCT’ which have already been placed in the Library.
	The tables show the number of reported physical assaults, but do not specify professional categories, whether an injury was sustained, or whether the member of staff was on duty when the assault took place.

Passive Smoking: Infants

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to investigate the health effects on infants of exposure to passive smoke in cars.

Anne Milton: The evidence of the potential for harm to children is already clearly proven and published worldwide so we have no further plans. Our focus now will be to determine the best way to change the behaviour of smokers to stop them exposing children and infants to the harm caused by second-hand smoke.
	This summer, the Department will publish a new marketing strategy for tobacco control. This will set out further plans to encourage people to recognise the risks of second-hand smoke and to make their homes and private cars smokefree.

Physiotherapy

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps his Department plans to take to ensure patients' right to self-refer to NHS physiotherapy services is maintained under the any qualified provider model;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the any qualified provider model with patient self-referral to physiotherapy; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what steps his Department plans to take to assess the adequacy of access to clinically appropriate physiotherapy services for patients with (a) Parkinson's disease, (b) multiple sclerosis, (c) musculoskeletal conditions, (d) fragility fractures and (e) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease under the any qualified provider model;
	(4)  what steps his Department plans to take to ensure that patients (a) have access to physiotherapy services for as long as is clinically appropriate and (b) access to physiotherapy services is not restricted by reductions in NHS expenditure under the any qualified provider model.

Simon Burns: National health service physiotherapy services are provided on the basis of assessed clinical need. It is for local commissioners to decide how best to use their funds to meet national and local priorities for improving health and to commission services accordingly, in line with best practice guidelines. This process provides the means for addressing local needs within the health community, including the provision of physiotherapy services.
	We have published proposals for consultation on extending patient choice in the NHS. A copy of the consultation document, ‘Liberating the NHS: Greater Choice and Control’, has already been placed in the Library. However, we have since agreed to defer our response to this consultation in order to take account of the current listening exercise on NHS modernisation, including the report of the NHS Future Forum.

Prescriptions

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many addresses for the writing and dispensation of prescriptions are registered in (a) in Bradford district and (b) England.

Simon Burns: In primary care, prescriptions are generally written by prescribers within general practitioner (GP) practices. The following table provides information on numbers of GP practices for the latest available month.
	
		
			 Numbers of GP practices—February 2011 
			  Bradford and Airedale Teaching Primary Care Trust (PCT)  (1) England 
			 GP practices   
			 Actual practices 84 8,343 
			 ‘Dummy’ practices(2) 60 2,257 
			 Total 144 10,600 
			 (1) NHS Prescription Services do not hold figures for ‘Bradford district’. Data are held by PCT boundary. Therefore data has been supplied for Bradford and Airedale PCT. (2) GP dispensing practices are both prescribers and dispensers. Source: NHS Prescription Services 
		
	
	Prescriptions in primary care may be dispensed by community pharmacies, dispensing doctors or appliance contractors. The number of each category of dispenser is provided in the following table for the latest available month.
	
		
			 Numbers of dispensers 
			  Bradford and Airedale Teaching PCT  (1) England 
			 GP dispensing practices—February 2011(2)   
			 Actual practices 2 1,106 
			 'Dummy' practices(3) 0 12 
			    
			 Other dispensers—March 2010(4)   
			 Community pharmacy contractors 117 10,691 
			 Appliance contractors 3 137 
			 Total 122 11,946 
			 (1) NHS Prescription Services do not hold figures for ‘Bradford district’. Data are held by PCT boundary. Therefore data has been supplied for Bradford and Airedale PCT. (2) Dummy GP and dispensing practices are groups of prescribers set up by the PCTs, so that they can monitor the prescribing of contracted providers, such as out of hours providers, deputising services and clinics. (3) GP dispensing practices are both prescribers and dispensers. (4) Numbers of pharmacy and appliance contractors are accurate as at 31 March 2010. No reliable data are available for a later period. Source: NHS Prescription Services, NHS Information Centre

Respite Care: Finance

Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding his Department allocated for respite care in each local authority area in each year since 2005; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Burstow: The Carers' Grant was introduced in 1999 in recognition of carers need for support. Councils were able to use this money to support carers with breaks and other services. Between 2005-06 and 2010-11 the Carers Grant was worth £1.275 billion. Since 2008, the Grant has been paid to councils as part of the Area Based Grant.
	Detailed breakdown by local authority area are contained in the following local authority social services letters (LASSL):
	LASSL (2004)—26;
	LASSL (2005)—six;
	LASSL (2006)—one; and
	LASSL—(DH) (2007)—two
	Copies of the LASSLs have been placed in the Library and are available on the following Department's websites at:
	2005-06
	www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/documents/digitalasset/dh_4097307.pdf
	2006-07
	www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/documents/digitalasset/dh_4124138.pdf
	2007-08
	www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/documents/digitalasset/dh_063042.pdf
	2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11
	www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/documents/digitalasset/dh_081124.pdf
	The funding for all existing Department of Heath revenue grants for adult social care continues and will rise in line with inflation during the current spending review period. This includes funding for the Carers Grant. In order to allow councils to be as flexible as possible and to reduce administrative burdens, this funding has been made available to councils through the local government Revenue Support Grant.
	Some £50 million was invested in primary care trusts' baseline allocations in 2009-10 and £100 million in 2010-11 for breaks for carers. We are providing additional funding of £400 million to the national health service over the next four years (2011-12 to 2014-15) to enable more carers to take breaks from their caring responsibilities.

School milk

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has assessed the merits of extending the availability of the free nursery milk scheme to all children in reception class rather than ending it at their fifth birthday.

Anne Milton: The Department is not considering extending the scheme to children who are five years old and over.

Smoking: Young People

Gordon Birtwistle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will bring forward proposals to prevent youths harassing adults outside shops in order to encourage them to buy cigarettes for those youths.

Anne Milton: As set out in “Healthy Lives, Healthy People, A Tobacco Control Plan for England”, published on 9 March 2011, the Department has commissioned a review of the evidence about the sources of tobacco for children, which will report back later this year. Future policy options will then be considered in light of the review's findings. A copy of the plan has already been placed in the Library.
	Following the Home Office review of antisocial behaviour, it launched a consultation which outlines proposals to reform the toolkit for dealing with antisocial behaviour. Its aim is to reduce the bureaucracy, delay and cost that currently hampers the police and their local partners. The consultation closed on 17 May 2011.

Social Services

Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the eligibility criteria were for Fair Access to Care services for each local authority as at 1 April 2011; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  which local authorities changed their eligibility criteria for Fair Access to Care services in 2010-11; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Burstow: The Department does not hold this information centrally. However, we are aware that councils have been restricting eligibility criteria for a number of years.
	The recent Association of Directors for Adult Social Services Survey, published on 12 May 2011, indicated that 19 of the 150 councils that responded had changed their eligibility criteria between 2010-11 and 2011-12.
	In recognition of the pressures on the social care system in a challenging local government settlement, the spending review allocated an additional £2 billion by 2014-15 to support the delivery of social care. This means, with an ambitious programme of efficiency, that there is enough funding available to make it possible to protect people’s access to care, without tightening eligibility.
	Ministers recognise that this is a challenging settlement for local government, but if authorities are prepared to reform their services and drive down costs, then we believe that the investment from the national health service to social care, announced in the spending review, will enable them to protect the care that people receive.
	Some councils are making changes like sharing back office services, and caring for people in their own homes instead of expensive residential care. By making these types of changes, councils can protect other front-line services.
	We know reform of the system is needed. That is why we established an independent commission to consider how we can ensure affordable and sustainable funding for care and support for all adults in England into the future. The commission will report to us in July and we will set out our plans for further reform in a White Paper later this year.

Social Services: Finance

Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was allocated by his Department for social care in each local authority area in each year since 2005; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Burstow: The main source of Government funding for council services is formula grant which is distributed each year by the Department for Communities and Local Government. Formula grant is not allocated for separate service areas such as social care but provides general funding for all services. Details of all formula grant settlements are available at:
	www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/ssas.htm
	As well as formula grant, funding for social care comes from specific grants allocated by the Department of Health, council tax and fees and charges paid by social care clients.
	A table showing the total of all grants provided by the Department for each local authority from 2005-06 to 2011-12 has been placed in the Library.

Southern Cross Healthcare: Older People

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the oral answer by the Leader of the House on 19 May 2011, Official Report, columns 509-10, what discussions he has had with (a) the management of Southern Cross Care Homes and (b) local authorities on contingency plans to safeguard the care and shelter of the residents of Southern Cross Care Homes.

Paul Burstow: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Warley (Mr Spellar) on 19 May 2011, Official Report, column 306W.

Stress

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department takes to assess levels of stress of its officials during pregnancy.

Simon Burns: The Department adheres to the requirements of—and duties under—the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. The Department, in conjunction with line management, monitors the ability and capability of pregnant and expectant mothers. Assessments of the relevant facilities in the workplace take place immediately, when notified. New or expectant mothers complete an Initial Pregnancy Risk Assessment, a Second Trimester Risk Assessment, a Third Trimester Risk Assessment and a Post-Natal Risk Assessment. The Health and Safety Unit conduct the assessments of the relevant officers' work environment, as does the Department's Occupational Health Service Provider, where necessary
	The Department provides guidance to all staff and managers, including those who become pregnant, on stress recognition and stress management by way of the departmental intranet. Specifically, the Department's mental health policy covers prevention, early dialogue and identification, mutual understanding of issues and concerns together with setting out the support available to individuals and managers to help employees remain at work and perform to the best of their abilities. The support in place includes an Occupational Health Service, which has been designed specifically to meet the needs of the Department's employees. There is also a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, offering a free counselling service on a 24 hours, seven day a week basis and a helpline for managers.

Subarachnoid Haemorrhages

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment the NHS has made of the long-term outcomes of coiling procedures for the treatment of subarachnoid haemorrhages.

Simon Burns: The Department has made no assessment of the long-term outcomes of coiling procedures for the treatment of subarachnoid haemorrhages.
	The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, whose role it is to provide advice and guidance to the national health service on clinical procedures, issued guidance to the NHS on management of intercranial aneurysms in January 2005 (IPG106). This is available at:
	www.nice.org.uk/ip_38

Sunderland Hospital: Manpower

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) doctors and (b) nurses were employed at Sunderland City Hospital on 1 April (i) 1997 and (ii) 2011.

Simon Burns: Information is not available in the format requested. Information on the numbers of medical and dental staff and qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff employed at City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust on 30 September 1997 and the same date in 2010 is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Headcount 
			  1997 2010 
			 Medical and dental staff 333 571 
			 Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff 1,238 1,701 
			 Notes: 1. The new headcount methodology for 2010 data is not fully comparable with previous years' data due to improvements that make it a more stringent count of absolute staff numbers. Further information on the headcount methodology is available in the “NHS Workforce: Summary of staff in the NHS: Results from September 2010 Census” publication that has been placed in the Library. 2. Data are from the annual September Census. April data are not available for the requested years. Source: The Information Centre for health and social care Non-Medical Workforce Census

Tobacco

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what peer review was undertaken on (a) the calculations of the cost of treating smoking-related illnesses contained in and (b) the research on the economic burden of tobacco use on society cited in the Tobacco Control Plan for England;
	(2)  pursuant to the answer of 10 May 2011, Official Report, columns 1158-59W, on tobacco, what criteria he uses to determine the admissibility of representations on public policy from sectors with commercial interests in the policy outcome;
	(3)  pursuant to the answer of 10 May 2011, Official Report, columns 1158-59W, on tobacco, what obligations the World Health Organisation's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control places on the Government to protect tobacco control from vested interests of other industries.

Anne Milton: “Healthy Lives, Healthy People: A Tobacco Control Plan for England” included an appendix providing resources for tobacco control (pages 48-53). The references to the Policy Exchange’s “Cough Up” report and the Action on Smoking and Health website provide further information on the costs of treating smoking related diseases and the economic burden on society of tobacco use, and the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control regarding the obligations that this treaty places on parties. Representations on public policy issues, including in the area of tobacco control, are regularly received from a number of interested parties and are all considered with due diligence. For example, when the Department carries out public consultations on policy initiatives it adheres strictly to the Cabinet Office guidance on representations from all parties.
	A copy of the plan has already been placed in the Library.

Walking

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish a recommended average daily distance a healthy person should walk.

Anne Milton: We are not intending to publish guidance on the distance a person should walk daily to stay healthy, as this depends on individual fitness and other forms of physical activity they may undertake.
	Brisk walking can contribute to achieving the recommended levels of physical activity either in its own right or in combination with other physical activities. At a walking pace of three to four miles per hour (considered to represent moderate intensity activity), an adult might need to walk 1.5 to 2 miles on five days a week to meet the chief medical officer's current guidelines for physical activity.
	For general health benefit, adults should do a total of at least 30 minutes a day of at least moderate intensity physical activity on five or more days of the week.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Biofuels

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change 
	(1)  with reference to his Department's publication, UK and Global Bioenergy Resource-Final Report, what conversion factor from oven-dry tonnes was used for estimating the price of UK wood feedstocks per gigajoule;
	(2)  with reference to his Department's publication, UK and Global Bioenergy Resource-Final Report, what estimate his Department made of the price per oven-dry tonne of UK wood feedstocks for the large-scale electricity sector;
	(3)  with reference to page 7 of his Department's publication UK and Global Bioenergy Resource-Final Report what feedstock is referred to as being likely to reach six pounds per gigajoule in the short to medium term.

Gregory Barker: The publication ‘UK and Global Bioenergy Resource’ was an independent report by AEA Technology plc, commissioned by DECC, to assess the potential supply of biomass in the UK from 2010-30. In order to do this, AEA used different price points—£4/GJ, £6/GJ and £10/GJ—and different assumptions about how far non-financial constraints to the development of the market are overcome. Figure 3.2 in the report shows the potential contribution that various feedstocks could make to biomass supply in the UK up to 2030, on the basis of different combinations of the assumptions. The £6/GJ price point does not refer to a specific feedstock but is one of the sensitivities set out in the report.
	In estimating the price of UK wood feedstocks per GJ, the consultants used a conversion factor of 19 GJ/tonne for solid oven dried wood, as listed on page xii of the report.
	DECC will use the AEA report and other evidence to inform assumptions about the price of feedstocks for the large-scale electricity sector. We will publish these assumptions alongside the renewables obligation-banding review in the summer.

Biofuels

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate his Department has made of the average price of UK-sourced wood feedstocks for biomass energy generation.

Gregory Barker: DECC uses a range of assumptions for prices of biomass feedstocks given the range of current prices and uncertainty over future trends. Prices assumed in the heat sector were published alongside the details of the renewable heat incentive scheme in March 2011 at:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/uk supply/energymix/renewable/policy/incentive/incentive.aspx
	Assumptions for the large scale electricity sector will be published alongside the renewables obligation banding review in the summer.

Carbon Emissions

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if his Department will undertake an impact assessment in respect of the effect of the Government's energy policy on global carbon emissions.

Gregory Barker: DECC looks at the impact of domestic climate change and energy policies on domestic carbon emissions. DECC latest assessment of the impact of policies on emissions can be found in the DECC emission projections document published in June 2010:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/Statistics/Projections/67-updated-emissions-projections-june-2010.pdf
	DECC will published new emission projections by the end of the year. It is important to note, that the analysis above doesn't take into consideration the impact of UK International Climate Finance on emissions in developing countries.

Carbon Emissions: Academies

Jo Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change 
	(1)  what recent representations he has received from local authorities that have academy schools within their boundaries concerning proposals to fine councils for failing to reduce carbon dioxide emissions across their estate;
	(2)  what his policy is on imposing financial penalties on local authorities in respect of carbon dioxide emissions from academy schools.

Gregory Barker: The Government are not proposing any fines for local authorities in relation to carbon reduction but under the provisions of the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme which started in April of this year those local authorities which meet the scheme's criteria will be required to purchase allowances reflecting the carbon content of their fuel use. A number of local authorities have provided views on the treatment of academies as part of the coalition Government's current simplification review of the scheme set up by the previous Administration, These representations are currently being analysed and will contribute to the simplification proposals on which we will formally consult in due course.

Departmental Manpower

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will make it his policy to publish monthly information on changes in the numbers of his Department's employees categorised by (a) seniority, (b) number of employees taking voluntary redundancy, (c) natural wastage and (d) involuntary redundancy.

Gregory Barker: DECC will be complying with the new Cabinet Office requirement to publish details of numbers of employees by seniority on a monthly basis.
	DECC has no plans at present to publish details of natural wastage or the numbers of employees taking redundancy.

District Heating

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will take steps to encourage local authorities to require that new buildings connect to existing district heating networks.

Gregory Barker: Local authorities are already able to drive development of district heating systems in their areas, for example by setting out their support for district heating in local plans or by requiring that new buildings connect to existing networks and co-locate heat supply with heat demand.
	In order to encourage action in this area, the Department recently launched Community Energy Online, a web portal which provides local authorities and their communities with information and advice about the deployment of community scale energy infrastructure, including district heating networks. The web portal is developed in partnership with leading organisations including the Planning Advisory Service and the Town and Country Planning Association who. Like others, provide information and advice on connecting to district heating networks.

Electricity Generation

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the generating costs of (a) solar power and (b) other power generation technologies over the next 10 years.

Gregory Barker: The information is as follows:
	(a) Solar PV costs were estimated by Element Energy in 2009. A more recent estimate by Mott Macdonald in 2011 for the Committee on Climate Change is also provided in table 1 as follows.
	
		
			 Table 1: Solar photovoltaics 
			 Technology (source) Year Capital expenditure (£/kW) Operating expenditure (£/kW/year) Load factor (percentage) 
			 Solar photovoltaics up to 5 MW in size (Element Energy, 2009) 2009 4,000-5,300 20-44 (1)~10 
			  2020 1,765-2,787 13-44 (1)— 
			      
			 Solar photovoltaics up to 10 MW in size (Mott Macdonald, 2011) Current 2,600-2,850 n/a ~10 
			  2020 1,226-1,268 n/a n/a 
			 n/a = Not available (1) Indicates brace 
		
	
	(b) The following table is taken from Mott Macdonald (2010) and gives levelised cost estimates (average generation cost per megawatt-hour) for new build plants in the main large-scale electricity generation technologies in the UK, including both fossil fuel and low carbon plant, at current engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract prices. It should be noted that these levelised cost figures are not directly comparable with the costs for Solar PV in part (a), which are expressed in terms of cost per unit of capacity, not output.
	It should be noted that for the purposes of presentation, the table only gives either 'FOAK' (first-of-a-kind) prices or 'NOAK' (nth-of-a-kind) prices for each technology. NOAK for established technologies and FOAK for those technologies which are yet to be built in the UK or benefit from learning. These are appropriate comparators for current costs.
	The full report including methodology and assumptions can be accessed via this link:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/Statistics/Projections/71-uk-electricity-generation-costs-update-.pdf
	
		
			 Table 1: 10% discount rate, 2009 project start at today's EPC prices, with mixed FOAK/NOAK 
			 Levelised cost Gas CCG  T Gas CCGT with CCS (FOAK) ASC Coal ASC Coal with CCS (FOAK) Coal IGCC (FOAK) Coal IGCC with CCS (FOAK) Onshore wind Offshore wind (FOAK) Offshore wind R3 (FOAK) Nuclear PWR (FOAK) 
			 Capital Costs 12.4 29.8 33.4 74.1 61.7 82.0 79.2 124.1 144.6 77.3 
		
	
	
		
			 Fixed operating costs 3.7 7.7 8.6 18.6 9.7 17.7 14.6 36.7 45.8 12.2 
			 Variable operating costs 2.3 3.6 2.2 4.7 3.4 4.6 — — — 2.1 
			 Fuel Costs 46.9 65.0 19.9 28.7 20.3 28.3 — — — 5.3 
			 Carbon Costs 15.1 2.1 40.3 6.5 39.6 5.5 — — — — 
			 Decomm and waste fund — — — — — — — — — 2.1 
			 CO2 transport and storage — 4.3 — 9.6 — 9.5 — — — — 
			 Steam Revenue — — — — — — — — — — 
			 Total levelised cost 80.3 112.5 104.5 142.1 134.6 147.6 93.9 160.9 190.5 99.0 
			 Source: Mott Macdonald (2010), UK Electricity Generation Costs Update, available at: http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/Statistics/Projections/71-uk-electricity-generation-costs-update-.pdf 
		
	
	It should be noted that the estimates of levelised costs for different types of electricity generation are highly sensitive to the assumptions used for capital costs, fuel and EU ETS allowance prices, operating costs, load factor, and other drivers. Meaning that there is significant uncertainty around these estimates.
	In the year 2017, assuming that all technologies have been built at least once in the UK, the following NOAK costs may apply to all technologies, however, it should be noted that these costs are not considered achievable today.
	
		
			 Table 2: 10% discount rate, 2017 start at projected EPC prices, all NOAK 
			 Levelised cost Gas CCGT Gas CCGT with CCS ASC Coal ASC Coal with CCS Coal IGCC Coal IGCC with CCS Onshore wind Offshore wind Offshore wind R3 Nuclear PWR 
			 Capital Costs 11.2 20.7 28.7 47.8 33.7 46.5 71.7 89.4 97.0 49.6 
			 Fixed operating costs 3.7 6.0 8.6 13.8 8.0 12.3 — 23.0 30.9 9.1 
			 Variable operating costs 2.3 3.6 2.2 3.7 2.7 3.6 — — — 1.8 
			 Fuel Costs 49.8 64.7 19.9 27.6 19.6 27.2 — — — 5.2 
			 Carbon Costs 29.6 4.1 73.8 11.4 72.0 10.0 — — — — 
			 Decomm and waste fund — — — — — — — — — 2.1 
			 CO2 transport and storage — 3.5 — 7.6 — 7.5 — — — — 
			 Steam Revenue — — — — — — — — — — 
			 Total levelised cost 96.5 102.6 133.2 111.9 136.0 107.1 86.3 112.4 127.9 67.8 
			 Source: Mott Macdonald (2010), UK Electricity Generation Costs Update, available at: http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/Statistics/Projections/71-uk-electricity-generation-costs-update-.pdf

Electricity Generation

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what cost-benefit analysis of demand-side energy market measures his Department has undertaken.

Gregory Barker: The Government published an impact assessment of the green deal and energy company obligation elements of the Energy Bill in December 2010. It can be found here:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/legislation/energybill/1002-energy-bill-2011-ia-green-deal.pdf
	A further cost-benefit analysis will be included in the impact assessment to be published at the start of the formal consultation on green deal secondary legislation in autumn 2011.
	The Government also published two impact assessments of the smart meter rollout programme in March 2011. The impact assessment for the domestic sector can be found here:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/consultations/smart-meter-imp-prospectus/1485-impact-assessment-smart-metering-implementation-p.pdf
	The impact assessment for the non-domestic sector can be found here:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/consultations/smart-meter-imp-prospectus/1484-impact-assessment-smart-metering-implementation-p.pdf
	The consultation on Electricity Market Reform (EMR), published in December 2010 recognised that demand side measures have an important contribution to make in supporting the transition to a low-carbon generating mix and ensuring security of supply. An impact assessment was published alongside that consultation, which included qualitative analysis of demand side response, can be found here:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/emr/emr.aspx
	DECC is currently developing a White Paper which will set out proposals for EMR, a further impact assessment will be published alongside this document.

Electricity Generation

Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what representations he has received from the European Commission on the state aid implications of his proposals for electricity market reform.

Charles Hendry: We have not received any formal communications to Ministers from the Commission on Electricity Market Reform in general or on state aids specifically. Department officials are regularly in touch with the Commission. Discussions on EMR are in their infancy, and have focussed on explaining the background to, and the scope of the reforms. We expect discussions to continue following the publication of the White Paper.

Electricity Generation

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he expects to announce whether his proposals for electricity market reform are to be subject to the control framework for levy-funded expenditure by his Department; and what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on this matter.

Charles Hendry: The decision on whether the electricity market reform proposals will be subject to the control framework for DECC levy-funded spending will depend on whether the policies are classified by the Office for National Statistics as tax and spend.
	The principles governing the inclusion of policies in the control framework are set out in the question and answer document available at:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/What%20we%20do/UK%20energy%20supply/Energy%20mix/Renewable%20energy/1691-qa-info-levy-funded-spending.pdf

Electricity: Foreign Investment in UK

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 28 February 2011, Official Report, column 234W, on electricity generation: foreign investment in the UK, what definition of negawatts his Department uses.

Charles Hendry: Negawatts is a term used to describe electricity saved through demand reduction measures; both the permanent energy efficiency savings secured by policies such as the Green Deal, and dynamic energy reductions through policies such as the Capacity Mechanism.

Electricity: Prices

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he has received representations from the European Commission on potential non-compliance with state aid provisions of the treatment of the nuclear industry by his Department's proposals for (a) contract for difference feed-in tariffs and (b) a floor price for carbon in its consultation on electricity market reform.

Charles Hendry: We have not received any formal communications to Ministers from the Commission on Electricity Market Reform in general or on state aids specifically. Department officials are regularly in touch with the Commission. Discussions on EMR are in their infancy, and have focused on explaining the background to, and the scope of the reforms. We expect discussions to continue following the publication of the White Paper.

Energy

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what representations he has made to the World Bank on its draft energy strategy.

Charles Hendry: The UK has engaged with the World Bank throughout the period of its energy strategy review. Most recently, the International Development Secretary spoke to the Development Committee(1) at the Spring Meetings where he stressed that the bank needs to ensure that the Energy Strategy meets the twin goals of sustainable energy production and increasing the access of poor people to energy. The UK continues to support the inclusion in the strategy of a target to increase the percentage of lending for clean energy and a shift away from lending for coal fired power stations toward cleaner energy sources as it is here that we believe the financing challenges to be greatest.
	(1) Full text of the Secretary of State for International Development’s speech to the Development Committee on 16 April is available at:
	http://siteresources.worldbank.org/DEVCOMMINT/Documentation/22891473/DCS2011-0035-UnitedKingdom.pdf

Energy Performance Certificates: Fines

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many fines have been levied on landlords of (a) commercial and (b) residential properties for non-compliance with regulations on the provision of energy performance certificates since the entry into force of such regulations.

Andrew Stunell: I have been asked to reply.
	The Department does not hold this information. Local authority weights and measures authorities have been given the responsibility for enforcing the duties relating to Energy Performance Certificates through Regulation 38 of the Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007. Trading Standards Officers have discretion to determine the appropriate action in each case. This will range between providing information and assistance to issuing warnings or a penalty charge notice.

Energy: Billing

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change which of his Department's policies are subject to the control framework for levy-funded expenditure by his Department.

Gregory Barker: Three policies are subject to the control framework for the levy funded expenditure. These are Warm Home Discount, Renewables Obligation and Feed In Tariffs.

Energy: Billing

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the potential effects of classification of the Energy Company Obligation as levy-funded expenditure.

Gregory Barker: How new policies that entail levy-funded expenditure are accommodated within the control framework will be determined on a case-by-case basis. If the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is classified as tax and spend then the Government would expect to make some increase to the levies cap to accommodate this. Controlling the impact of ECO on consumer bills and ensuring its aims are met cost-effectively will be central to its design irrespective of whether it is classified as tax and spend and subject to the control framework, or as regulation.

Energy: Billing

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change 
	(1)  what discussions at (a) Ministerial and (b) official level were held within his Department on the control framework for levy-funded expenditure by his Department prior to the 2011 Budget;
	(2)  whether there were discussions at (a) ministerial and (b) official level between his Department and the Treasury on the control framework for levy-funded expenditure by his Department prior to the 2011 Budget.

Gregory Barker: DECC Ministers and officials have frequent meetings with their ministerial colleagues and officials as part of the process of policy development and delivery.

Energy: Billing

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he has rejected any policies considered unviable under the control framework for levy-funded expenditure by his Department since the 2011 Budget.

Gregory Barker: No policies have been rejected on this basis.

Energy: Housing

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the likely average cost to the consumer of a Green Deal assessment.

Gregory Barker: The Green Deal is a market initiative, therefore we expect the cost of the assessment to be determined by the market. We also anticipate that some Green Deal providers will provide assessments at no upfront cost, as part of their broader Green Deal ‘offer’. Our legislation allows for this approach.

Energy: Prices

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on classification of expenditure on the Energy Company Obligation as part of his Department's levy control framework.

Charles Hendry: The Department is in regular discussion with HM Treasury over the levy control framework, and over issues relating to the future Energy Company Obligation (ECO). ECO will fall within the control framework for levies-funded policies only if it is classified as a tax and spend policy. Classification decisions are made by the Office of National Statistics which has yet to consider the classification of ECO.

Energy: Wales

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he received a request from (a) members of the Welsh Government or (b) the Secretary of State for Wales between 6 May and 20 May 2011 to meet to discuss issues relating to energy in Wales and its territorial waters.

Gregory Barker: The Secretary of State and Ministers in his Department regularly receive requests from members of the Welsh Government and the Secretary of State for Wales to discuss energy issues in relation to Wales.

Fuel Poverty

Guy Opperman: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to alleviate fuel poverty in (a) the North East and (b) other rural areas.

Gregory Barker: There are a number of policies designed to help tackle fuel poverty across England. Examples of these are:
	Warm Front—has assisted 83,299 households in the North East, and 184,472 households in rural areas in England since 2005.
	The Carbon Emissions Reduction Target—has assisted 137,000 households in the North East through professionally installed insulation measures (March 2008 to March 2010).
	Community Energy Savings Programme—there are a number of projects in the North East providing energy efficiency measures.
	Community Energy Solutions—a pilot scheme funded by DECC, installed around 500 air source heat pumps to rural communities in the North East.
	We are developing Green Deal, including a new Energy Company Obligation, which will provide all households, including those in rural areas, with access to energy efficiency measures.

Fuel Poverty

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will assess the potential of introducing rising block tariffs to reduce household gas and electricity consumption alongside mechanisms to protect fuel poor consumers from any resulting disadvantage; and if he will make a statement.

Gregory Barker: Under present arrangements, suppliers are free to respond to consumer demand in their pricing systems. The Government are keen to see a range of different tariff offers under these present arrangements rather than mandating any one particular pricing system which could constrain innovation. In addition, we share the concern that fuel poor consumers and others living in poorly insulated housing could be made worse off under a system of rising block tariffs.

Fuel Poverty

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will assess the merits of (a) levying charges on the basis of kilowatt-hours of energy consumed to pay for the renewables obligation, feed-in tariffs, the warm homes discount and the energy company obligation and (b) introducing mechanisms to protect fuel-poor consumers from any adverse effects of levying charges in this way; and if he will make a statement.

Gregory Barker: The existing schemes mentioned have been established in law on the basis that they will be funded by the energy companies. The Government do not specify the precise approach energy companies can take to charging consumers and currently has no plans to revisit this principle.
	The share that each relevant obligated company must contribute to the overall requirement is set in terms of share of overall customer numbers or, as is the case with the renewables obligation and feed-in tariffs, the volume of energy sold. The potential impacts of these approaches on lower income and vulnerable households is assessed prior to legislation. We will consult on these issues before secondary legislation for the new energy company obligation.

Ministerial Duties

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what meetings he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer since May 2010; and on what subjects in each case.

Gregory Barker: DECC Ministers and officials meet regularly with their counterparts in HM Treasury and other Departments to discuss a range of issues. As has been the case with successive administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Nuclear Power

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change 
	(1)  whether he plans to have further discussions with his EU counterparts who are signatories to the Paris and Brussels Conventions on third party nuclear liability following the recent events in Fukushima;
	(2)  what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the Paris Convention and Brussels Supplementary Convention on nuclear third party liability, including on the level of cover from nuclear companies to be provided following the recent events in Fukushima.

Charles Hendry: The discussions I have had so far with my EU counterparts have largely related to ensuring the safety of nuclear installations and making sure that we, together with the international nuclear community, learn the lessons from Fukushima. These discussions continue to evolve and they may in the future cover issues around third party liability.
	Officials who are leading on the implementation of the changes to the Paris and Brussels conventions continue to keep contact with their counterparts in the EU states that are signatories to the conventions.

Nuclear Power

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he has assessed the merits of re-consulting on his proposals for implementing the 2004 Protocols amending the Paris Convention on nuclear third party liability and the Brussels Supplementary Convention following the recent events in Fukushima.

Charles Hendry: The consultation on the implementation of the revised Paris and Brussels conventions closed on 28 April and officials are now assessing the responses. We considered the merits of extending the consultation period following the events at Fukushima and concluded that it was in the best interest of the public to secure the benefits of the proposed changes at the earliest opportunity. There are no plans to re-consult.
	The financial consequences of Fukushima will take some time to emerge and the right thing to do is to make improvements in the third party liability regime as soon as we can. Going ahead with our implementation of the revised Paris and Brussels conventions will significantly improve the current liability regime: it will increase the financial responsibility placed on operators and increase the scope of damage for which victims can claim and the amount of compensation they can claim.

Nuclear Power

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his policy is on the proposals for implementing the 2004 Protocols amending the Paris Convention on nuclear third party liability and the Brussels Supplementary Convention.

Charles Hendry: The consultation on the implementation of the changes to the Paris and Brussels conventions on nuclear third party liability ran from 24 January to 28 April 2011. The consultation set out the Government's policy in the area of nuclear third party liability including our clear commitment to implementing the changes to the conventions that bring about significant improvements to the arrangements.
	My officials are currently reviewing all the responses to the consultation that the Department has received. We intend to publish a summary of the responses and a Government response in due course.

Nuclear Power

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent representations he has received from commercial nuclear insurance companies on the extent of insurance coverage in the event of a nuclear accident in the UK.

Charles Hendry: The Government published on 24 January a consultation on their proposals to implement the changes to the Paris and Brussels conventions on nuclear third party liability. The consultation closed on 28 April. The consultation set out the Government's understanding of the extent to which commercial nuclear insurance would be available to cover the new liabilities, introduced by the revisions to the conventions.
	My officials are currently reviewing all the responses to the consultation received by the Department, including those from insurers. We intend to publish a summary of the responses and a Government response in due course.

Nuclear Power Stations: Safety

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the proposal by the Chairperson of the European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group that the European Union-wide stress tests for EU nuclear plants should include the implications of aircraft crashes.

Charles Hendry: Security arrangements at the UK's civil nuclear installations are kept under constant review as part of a continuous process to ensure existing arrangements are robust and effective.
	However, security is the primary responsibility of member states and details of civil nuclear security arrangements are highly sensitive and cannot be disclosed widely or to an international audience. The UK Government therefore support the scope and modality of the EU stress test as proposed by ENSREG and agreed by the European Commission and EU member states which does not include security issues.

Nuclear Power Stations: Safety

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 9 May 2011, Official Report, column 983W, on nuclear safety, whether any changes have been made in security provisions at UK nuclear installations as a result of any internal review following the accident at Fukushima; and what guidance was given to the chief nuclear inspector in respect of the meeting of the European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group in relation to the scope of the proposed EU-wide stress tests.

Charles Hendry: Security arrangements at the UK’s civil nuclear installations are kept under constant review as part of a continuous process to ensure existing arrangements are robust and effective. We do not comment on the detail of operational security matters at civil nuclear sites.
	The UK Government fully respected the independence of the chief inspector of the Office for Nuclear Regulation in discussions on the development of the scope and modality of the stress test criteria. However, security at nuclear facilities is outside of the scope of expertise of the European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group (ENSREG), so it is the UK view that security matters should not be dealt with in this forum.

Nuclear Power: Emergencies

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will initiate a review of the Japanese response to the Fukushima nuclear emergency to identify any lessons for public contingency planning for widespread nuclear emergencies including evacuation planning and execution.

Charles Hendry: In his interim report on the implications of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami for the UK Nuclear Industry, the chief inspector of nuclear installations, Mike Weightman, recommended that:
	“The Government should consider carrying out a review of the Japanese response to the emergency to identify any lessons for UK public contingency planning for widespread emergencies, taking account of any social, cultural and organisation differences.”
	The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, my right hon. Friend the Member for Eastleigh (Chris Huhne) is currently considering the interim report’s recommendations and will provide a formal response within the one month timetable suggested in the report.

Nuclear Power: Research

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will list the research and development programmes on (a) reactor safety, (b) Generation IV reactors and (c) radioactive waste management currently sponsored by his Department; how much funding his Department has allocated in each such case to date; if he will list those nuclear fission research and development programmes overseas for which his Department has a watching brief; what the monetary cost to his Department is of maintaining such a watching brief in each such case; and what value for money assessment has been made of such (i) research and development programmes and (ii) watching briefs.

Charles Hendry: The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) does not directly sponsor research programmes on nuclear power or radioactive waste management.
	However, nuclear-related analysis, research and development is conducted by Government organisations and comprises:
	A study currently being undertaken for DECC under contract by the National Nuclear Laboratory, which aims to provide further analysis of the potential benefits of next generation reactor designs. The contract value of this work is £30,000.
	The independent nuclear safety regulator, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), commissions nuclear safety research across a wide range of areas associated with its remit to protect people and society from the hazards of the nuclear industry.
	The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) is a non-departmental public body sponsored by DECC. The NDA is required to carry out research in support of its functions through the 2004 Energy Act. The NDA’s research is essential to take forward the management of higher activity radioactive wastes.
	DECC maintains a watching brief on three international nuclear programmes, for which there are no membership costs. The programmes are: Generation IV International Forum (GIF) which is looking to develop the next generation of nuclear reactors through international collaboration; International Atomic Energy Agency’s International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO); International Framework for Nuclear Energy Co-operation (IFNEC), which was formerly the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP).
	Further research into nuclear energy is funded by the research councils. These activities receive funding through the science budget administered by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).

Nuclear Reactors

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether any potential nuclear operators have made applications to establish a funded decommissioning programme for new nuclear reactors.

Charles Hendry: The Energy Act 2008 requires any operator of a new nuclear power station to have a funded decommissioning programme, approved by the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, my right hon. Friend the Member for Eastleigh (Chris Huhne), in place before construction of a new nuclear power station begins and to comply with this programme thereafter.
	No funded decommissioning programmes have yet been submitted by prospective new nuclear operators for approval by the Secretary of State. However DECC officials are in regular contact with prospective operators regarding possible future submissions.

Oil: Pollution

Simon Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the capacity of oil companies to cap wells in UK deep waters;
	(2)  what recent discussions he has had with the oil industry about the potential deployment of well capping devices in the North Sea;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the capacity of the oil industry to fund clean up of oil spills from deep sea rigs in the North Sea without public funds; and if he will make a statement.

Charles Hendry: Following the Macondo Incident, the UK's Offshore Oil and Gas Industry established a joint industry and Government Group—the Oil Spill Prevention and Response Advisory Group (OSPRAG)—to review the UK's ability to prevent and respond to oil spills. This group, in which DECC participates, identified the need for a dedicated UK capping device that could be used on a variety of wells, not just those in deepwater, and industry is currently constructing a device for deployment in UK waters. This should be ready for use by late summer.
	In addition, Chevron, who are currently drilling on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS). Have developed a capping stack for the Stena Carron deepwater drilling operations, that is located in Stonehaven (near Aberdeen) and can be deployed within nine days of an incident.
	There are also other devices which are commercially available, that could be deployed to an incident worldwide, and one of the well control companies has decided to locate a device in Aberdeen to supplement the equipment that is currently located in Houston.
	In the UK, unlike the USA, there is no limit on companies' liability for clean-up and compensation. Operators on the UKCS maintain insurance or make other provisions to cover drilling and other operational risks together with the legal liabilities associated with clean-up or other remediation measures. For all new drilling operations, my Department requires confirmation that appropriate insurance cover is in place.
	In addition, operators are parties to the Offshore Pollution Liability Association Ltd (OPOL). This requires operators to demonstrate separate provision to meet third party clean up costs and associated damages of up to $250 million in the event of a pollution incident. OPOL members collectively also provide a back-up mechanism in the form of a guarantee in the event of operator default, to meet claims for clean up and associated damages up to the same financial limits. The Department also carries out checks to confirm membership of OPOL.
	OSPRAG has also set-up a sub-group to review liability, indemnity and insurance provisions that would be invoked in the event of a spill. This group are currently undertaking a study to look at estimates of the cost of oil spill clean-up in the UK and whether the OPOL limit is sufficient to cover these costs. DECC is participating in this work.

Professional Organisations: Subscriptions

Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many subscription or membership fees for (a) the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and (b) other professional organisations were paid from budgets of his Department in respect of its staff in each of the last three years.

Gregory Barker: The Department of Energy and Climate (DECC) has not taken out any subscriptions or memberships with the Chartered Institute of Public Relations over the last three years.
	DECC records expenditure on subscriptions and membership fees but does not specifically collect data on the number of subscriptions and memberships held. It would incur disproportionate costs to investigate all payments to determine how many individual fees and subscriptions were paid for. Membership fees and subscriptions are taken out for a number of reasons. DECC pays membership fees to secure UK representation on eight international energy and climate change bodies. Where staff hold or are training for professional qualifications they are required to subscribe to professional institutes, for example accountants, lawyers, economists. DECC also takes out subscriptions to access a wide range of printed and electronic data required to deliver the Department's objectives.

Radioactive Waste

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether any potential nuclear operations in the UK have made applications for a waste transfer price contract for wastes and spent fuels for new nuclear reactors.

Charles Hendry: Several prospective operators have expressed an interest in entering a waste transfer contract with Government as part of their possible future submission of a Funded Decommissioning Programme for a new nuclear power station. EDF have requested an indicative ‘Expected Price’ in the context of their preparation of a Funded Decommissioning Programme for Hinkley Point C.
	The Government have consulted on a proposed waste transfer pricing methodology and are now considering responses to this consultation, but do not intend to enter into any detailed negotiations of a waste transfer contract prior to issuing the consultation response.

Radioactivity

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what measurements were made of (a) concentrations and (b) activities of (i) plutonium and (ii) uranium in UK air in (A) March and (B) April 2011.

Richard Benyon: I have been asked to reply.
	The Environment Agency, working with Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, monitors air and rain at seven locations around the UK. The analysis and reporting is mainly on a quarterly basis, with some variations and the analytical requirements are given in the table. Under this Euratom programme, analyses for uranium are not carried out at any location. Samples from Aberporth in Wales are analysed for certain isotopes of plutonium in both air and rainwater and the Environment Agency reports these annually. All the results are reported in the annual publication ‘Radioactivity in Food and the Environment’. The latest report (2009) is available on the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) website.
	The Environment Agency adjusted its programme slightly during March and April to check on radionuclides arriving from the Fukushima accident in Japan. The particular adjustments were to analyse filters that were changed weekly before normal processing, to ensure that short half life radionuclides were analysed appropriately. Results from this Fukushima-related monitoring have been placed on the Health Protection Agency's website.
	
		
			 Analytical requirements for particulate and rainwater samples 
			 Location Particulate samples** (Bq kg  (-1)   of air) Rainwater concentrations and total deposition samples (Bq  (-1)   and Bq m  (-2)) 
			 Aberporth (137)Cs, (7)Be* Quarterly (137)Cs, (7)Be* Monthly 
			  (238)Pu, (239,240)Pu, (241)Am Annually (137)Cs, (7)Be* Quarterly 
			   (3)H Quarterly 
			   (238)Pu, (239,240)Pu, (241)Am Annually 
			    
			 Chilton(***) (137)Cs, (7)Be* Monthly (137)Cs, (7)Be* Monthly 
			   (137)Cs, (7)Be* Quarterly 
			   Total alpha, Total beta Annually 
			   Gamma Spec Annually 
			   (90)Sr Annually 
			    
			 Conlig (137)Cs, (7)Be* Quarterly (137)Cs, (7)Be* Quarterly 
			    
			 Dishforth (137)Cs, (7)Be* Quarterly (137)Cs, (7)Be* Quarterly 
			    
			 Eskdalemuir (137)Cs, (7)Be* Quarterly (137)Cs, (7)Be* Quarterly 
			   (3)H Quarterly 
			    
			 Lerwick (137)Cs, (7)Be* Quarterly (137)Cs, (7)Be* Quarterly 
			    
			 Orfordness (137)Cs, (7)Be* Quarterly (137)Cs, (7)Be* Quarterly 
			   (3)H Quarterly 
			 * Plus any other radionuclides detected by gamma spectrometry. ** Filters are changed weekly or monthly and collected and washed before analysis. *** The Chilton filter is taken off weekly and counted by gamma spectrometry before treatment to provide a quick screen for short half life and volatile radionuclides. 
		
	
	As part of the conditions of their permits, the Environment Agency requires some nuclear sites to sample air and specifically to analyse the samples for plutonium and uranium. The sites include Harwell, Sellafield, LLWR, Springfields and AWE-Aldermaston.

Renewable Energy

Nicky Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the financial implications for businesses participating in the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme of the decision to end revenue recycling; and if he will make a statement.

Gregory Barker: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Ogmore (Huw Irranca-Davies) on 4 February 2011, Official Report, columns 1018-19W.

Renewable Energy: Heating

Guy Opperman: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he plans to take to provide assistance in respect of initial capital outlay for those converting domestic heating systems under the Renewable Heat Incentive.

Gregory Barker: £15 million has been set aside under the Renewable Heat Premium Payments scheme to help families with the initial capital outlay for the installation of renewable heating systems in their homes. This will help up to 25,000 residents with the upfront costs of qualifying installations.
	Successful applicants to the Premium Payment scheme will then be eligible for the RHI domestic tariff scheme which launches in October 2012, provided they meet the eligibility criteria for the tariff scheme.
	Full details of how the Premium Payment scheme will work are to be published very shortly and the scheme will launch this summer.

Solar Power

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 5 April 2011, Official Report, column 888W, on solar power, what estimate he has made for international benchmarking purposes of the amount of solar power generated in countries with large solar power sectors in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Gregory Barker: The International Energy Agency’s Photovoltaic Power Systems (PVPS) Implementing Agreement provides a country by country analysis of solar PV development, including installed capacity, for the 25 participating countries. The annual report for 2010(1) which analyses 2009 data shows that installed capacity for the 25 participating countries during 2009 was 6.2 GW, which was about the same capacity as in 2008.
	The greatest proportion (74%) of the 6.2 GW of solar PV installed in 2009 was in Germany and Italy alone. By comparison, approximately 80 MWp was installed in the UK.
	(1) IEA PVPS Implementing Agreement Annual Report 2010 (p11)
	http://www.iea-pvps.org/index.php?id=3

Solar Power: Feed-in Tariffs

Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the total monetary value is of feed-in tariff payments made for (a) solar photovoltaic schemes and (b) all permitted technologies in (i) Cornwall and (ii) the rest of the UK since April 2010.

Gregory Barker: This information is not yet available in the form requested. However, Ofgem has published data from the quarterly levelisation process which shows a total of £6,206,235 paid for all technologies up to 31 December 2010. Levelisation data can be viewed at:
	www.ofgem.gov.uk/Sustainability/Environment/fits/Levelisation/Pages/Levelisation.aspx
	Levelisation data for 1 January to 31 March 2011 will be made available on Ofgem’s website soon.

Solar Power: Feed-in Tariffs

Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will assess the potential effects of the feed-in tariff review on the solar industry in Cornwall and the south-west; and what funding mechanisms he is considering to provide future support for that sector.

Gregory Barker: The recent consultation on the fast-track review of the Feed-in Tariffs scheme was accompanied by an impact assessment which considered the effects of the consultation proposals. This is available on the DECC website:
	www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/fit_review/fit_review.aspx
	The Department did not produce a specific impact assessment for Cornwall and the south-west.
	We received over 500 consultation responses which we are now considering. We will confirm the outcome of the consultation shortly.

Technical Advisory Panel

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change who the members were of the Technical Advisory Panel set up by the Office for Nuclear Regulation to assist the chief nuclear inspector in his preparation of his interim report on the Japanese earthquake and tsunami: Implications for the UK Nuclear Industry; whether any other experts were nominated to serve on the Technical Advisory Panel but not appointed; and what additional resources were provided to the Office for Nuclear Regulation to support the work of the chief inspector and the Technical Advisory Panel on the report.

Charles Hendry: The Technical Advisory Panel was set up by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) to provide independent technical advice to the chief inspector on the emergent findings following the events at Fukushima. They were invited to focus on the technical evidence and facts available at the time and provide contributions to both the interim and final report. The Technical Advisory Panel members are shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Member Nominated by 
			 Robin Grimes Imperial College 
			 Joe McHugh The Environment Agency 
			 Jim Gemmill Scottish Environment Protection Agency 
			 Paul Howarth National Nuclear Laboratory 
			 Mark Gorry EDF Energy 
			 Anastasios Zodaites Prospect 
			 Edmund Booth Royal Academy of Engineering 
			 John Earp Nuclear Institute 
			 Kevin Horsburgh National Oceanographic Centre 
		
	
	ONR sought representation from non-government organisations and one nomination was proposed but did not take up appointment.
	ONR set up a dedicated project support team to lead and support this work, including a technical support team, covering aspects of the Fukushima accident that are likely to be important in learning lessons. The ONR’s costs in preparing this report were met from its existing budget, which is largely recovered from industry.
	Full information concerning the Technical Advisory Panel is publically available on the ONR website at:
	http://www.hse.gov.uk/nuclear/fukushima/tap.htm

Wind Power

Ian Swales: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the potential financial benefits to communities of offshore wind farms; and for how long he expects any revenue stream to such communities from such farms to last.

Charles Hendry: A number of developers have developed community benefit packages for offshore wind farms and the precise detail of these packages will vary from development to development. Offshore wind developers and communities are able to discuss and agree specific benefits packages between themselves in relation to individual developments.
	Offshore wind will be critical to the UK in meeting our renewable energy and carbon reduction targets and development can bring financial benefits to communities from construction of the wind farm, from manufacturing and assembly of components and from ongoing operation and maintenance over the operational lifetime of the wind farm. The Government are also providing up to £60 million for offshore wind manufacturing infrastructure at port sites in assisted areas in England. Attracting major wind manufacturing to the UK will enable us to realise the maximum economic potential this sector offers. It will also generate high value opportunities in the supply chain, a significant proportion of which are likely to be located close to these manufacturing operations.

Wind Power: Greater London

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what progress his Department has made on the tender for an offshore transmission owner for the London Array wind farm.

Gregory Barker: Ofgem, the independent regulator, has responsibility for running the competitive tender process to appoint offshore transmission owners to own and operate offshore transmission assets. Ofgem commenced the second transitional tender round, which includes the London Array Phase 1 offshore wind farm, on 17 November 2010, and announced shortlisted bidders for the projects in this round in April 2011.

TREASURY

Business: Regulation

Matthew Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the 2011 Budget, HC 836, page 3, what estimate he has made of the average potential benefit to (a) all businesses and (b) small and medium-sized enterprises from discontinuing existing proposals for specific regulations which would have cost business over £350 million a year.

Mark Prisk: I have been asked to reply.
	The regulations that contribute to the £350 million cost reduction for business include: extension of the Right to Request Time to Train to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), extension of Right to Request Flexible Working to parents of 17 year-olds, Dual Discrimination and Third Party harassment.
	Right to request time to train
	For the right to request time to train, we are not able to estimate the how many businesses will benefit on average as a result of this decision as costs are calculated on a per request basis not a per business basis. We estimated in the impact assessment (IA) we published in January 2010 that the cost of dealing with a successful request would be around £319. This covers an estimated procedural cost of £90 for dealing with the request and £229 for accommodating the request.
	Extension of right to request flexible working to parents of 17 years olds
	We also announced that we would no longer extend the right to request flexible working to parents of 17 years olds to any business regardless of size. The published IA does not break this down by business size for the same reason as the right to request time to train. The IA estimated that the cost of dealing with requests would be approximately £62 per initial request and £123 per appeal. For accepted request the costs of accommodating the requests are estimated at £241.24.
	Dual Discrimination
	The £3 million set out in the Plan for Growth in respect of dual discrimination is drawn from the assessment by the Government Equalities Office of the costs and benefits associated with the commencement of the dual discrimination provisions.
	Costs to private sector employers: It is estimated that there would have been a £15.1 million transitional costs to private sector employers. This can be further broken down to an equivalent annual figure with a cost to SMEs per annum of £1.6 million, and the cost to large employers of £0.02 million per annum. There would also be costs as a result of dual discrimination cases against private sector employers of £1.0 million per annum. It is not possible to accurately state what proportion of this cost would fall on SMEs(1) or large employers.
	Third party harassment
	The £0.3 million set out in the Plan for Growth in respect of ‘third party harassment’ is drawn from the impact assessment by the Government Equalities Office on the Equality Act published at Royal Assent in April 2010.
	Costs to private sector employers: Annually Recurring (per year) Cost of additional cases (£80,093 - £323,573) in 2009 prices—range low/high).
	HM Treasury used the high figure as the potential annual saving to business of removing this provision.
	(1 )SME 1-249 employees. Large is 250+ and figures do not include the voluntary sector

Carbon Emissions

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what methodology he used to determine the price levels of carbon price support in (a) his Department's consultation on the carbon price floor and (b) Schedule 20 of the Finance (No. 3) Bill; and what the reason is for the difference between those price levels.

Justine Greening: The consultation asked for views on how best to implement a carbon price floor, including how the Government should determine future market prices of carbon upon which to base carbon price support rates. For illustrative purposes the consultation used the Government's long-term carbon price forecast as modelled by DECC.
	The Government response to the consultation on Wednesday 30 March 2011, confirmed that a market-based approach would be used to determine carbon price support rates as this was the option preferred by respondents. The Finance Bill reflects this approach.
	The Government's response is available online at:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/carbon_price_floor_consultation_govt_response.pdf

Carbon Emissions

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what impact assessment his Department has undertaken on the effects on energy-intensive industries of the introduction of carbon price support.

Justine Greening: An assessment of the impacts of the carbon price floor is given in HMRC's Tax Information and Impact Note published alongside the Budget. This is available online at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2011/tiin6111.pdf

Child Benefit

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the likely change in the purchasing power of child benefit in the next three financial years.

David Gauke: The following table shows the estimated average change per week per child as a result of comparing the rates of child benefit uprated by the retail prices index with freezing the rates for three years from April 2011.
	
		
			 £ 
			  2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 
			 Forecast change first child -0.55 -1.65 -2.40 
			 Forecast change subsequent child -0.35 -1.05 -1.55

Child Benefit: Applications

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  whether his Department has a target for the time taken to process applications for child benefit;
	(2)  what the average time taken to process applications for child benefit was (a) in the latest period for which information is available and (b) in each month of the last five years;
	(3)  how many parents have waited more than one month for their child benefit application to be processed in each month of the last five years.

David Gauke: In 2011-12, HM Revenue and Customs aim to pay new claims to child benefit in an average of 23 calendar days with 70% of new claims paid in 12 calendar days.
	Performance out-turn in relation to the timeliness of processing new child benefit claims in each month of 2006-07 to 2010-11 inclusive is shown in the following tables:
	
		
			 2006-07 
			  Aim 
			  To process 69% of claims in 5 working days To process 95% of claims in 36 working days 
			 April 72.5 96.6 
			 May 66.9 94.3 
			 June 68.3 94.7 
			 July 70.3 94.8 
			 August 72.1 96.1 
			 September 66.5 94.2 
			 October 65.3 94.0 
			 November 66.3 94.2 
			 December 66.4 95.9 
			 January 70.1 94.9 
			 February 68.0 94.0 
			 March 66.8 95.2 
		
	
	
		
			 2007-08 
			  Aim 
			  To process 69% of claims in 5 working days To process 95% of claims in 36 working days 
			 April 67.4 94.2 
			 May 64.4 95.6 
			 June 66.4 97.1 
			 July 61.2 94.7 
			 August 65.3 96.5 
			 September 63.1 94.2 
			 October 62.0 92.2 
			 November 64.1 93.3 
			 December 65.4 91.9 
			 January 71.9 93.9 
			 February 62.6 93.4 
			 March 60.4 90.7 
		
	
	
		
			 2008-09 
			  Aim 
			  To process 69% of claims in 9 working days Pay new claims in an average of 20 calendar days 
			 April 62.1 27.7 
			 May 64.1 23.1 
			 June 59.4 29.0 
			 July 62.3 29.2 
			 August 62.3 26.6 
			 September 62.6 33.2 
		
	
	
		
			  Aim 
			  To process 69% of claims in 9 working days Pay claims in an average of 20 calendar days 
			 October 63.8 27.7 
			 November 65.2 29.6 
			 December 70.7 29.3 
			 January 71.1 27.6 
			 February 67.2 31.4 
			 March 73.8 19.0 
		
	
	
		
			 2009-10 
			  Aim 
			  To pay 66% of claims in 9 working days Pay claims in an average of 20 calendar days 
			 April 75.33 27.7 
			 May 74.04 24.19 
			 June 72.92 26.91 
			 July 69.13 32.70 
			 August 70.33 31.72 
			 September 68.15 38.46 
			 October 68.52 27.7 
			 November 69.67 30.61 
			 December 73.14 28.34 
			 January 74.53 22.21 
			 February 74.43 27.16 
			 March 73.03 30.96 
		
	
	
		
			 2010-11 
			  Aim 
			  To pay 69% of claims in 9 working days Average number of calendar days to pay 
			 April 72.91 29.82 
			 May 73.51 21.37 
			 June 71.77 25.86 
			 July 71.95 22.76 
			 August 71.92 21.98 
			 September 69.10 27.23 
			 October 71.69 23.70 
			 November 72.65 23.36 
			 December 75.67 23.82 
			 January 77.3 24.27 
			 February 76.03 20.46 
			 March 74.64 25.93 
		
	
	Information on the number of child benefit claimants who have waited for more than one month for their claim to be processed in each month of the last five years is not maintained in the format requested.

Child Benefit: Applications

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many complaints his Department has received on the length of time taken to process a child benefit application in each month of the last five years.

David Gauke: Specific information on the numbers of complaints about the length of time taken to process a child benefit application in each month of the last five years is not available. Information on the number of child benefit related complaints in the last four years is provided in the following table:
	
		
			  2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 
			 April 53 210 164 245 
			 May 56 158 199 182 
			 June 69 169 257 174 
			 July 68 207 311 245 
			 August 67 166 224 237 
			 September 70 239 268 276 
			 October 78 230 419 239 
			 November 337 211 382 252 
			 December 565 187 402 175 
			 January 270 227 465 194 
			 February 671 186 474 164 
			 March 308 184 360 247 
			 Totals 2,612 2,374 3,925 2,630 
		
	
	Child Benefit Office received a total of 623 complaints in 2006-07. No monthly breakdown of this figure is available.

Child Care Tax Credit: Barnsley

Michael Dugher: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in Barnsley East constituency are in receipt of childcare tax credit.

David Gauke: As at April 2011 there were 800 families in Barnsley East constituency receiving the child care element of working tax credit.
	The information in this answer is based on HMRC's tax credits snapshot interim data. More information can be found at the HMRC website.
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-geog-apr11.pdf

Corporation Tax

Angela Eagle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the likely effect of the reduction in the rate of corporation tax announced in the 2011 Budget on the level of growth in each year from 2011-12 to 2015-16.

David Gauke: In their March 2011 Economic and Fiscal Outlook-the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) have forecast further increases in business investment from 2011 onwards.
	The OBR have stated that the cost of capital is the fundamental determinant of business investment in the long-run. The additional corporate tax measures announced at Budget 2011 provide further reductions in the cost of capital for firms and will promote higher levels of business investment.
	The Government’s aim is to create the most competitive tax regime in the G20. The reductions in corporation tax rates announced by the Government will support this aim and, based on announced plans, in 2014-15 the UK will have the fifth lowest rate in the G20 and will continue to have the lowest rate in the G7.

Corporation Tax

Alun Cairns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department took to implement the recommendations of the Thirtieth Report of the Committee of Public Accounts, Session 2007-08, Management of Large Business Corporation Tax, HC 302, prior to May 2010.

David Gauke: The Committee of Public Accounts made 11 recommendations in its Thirtieth Report of the 2007-08 Session.
	Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs accepted eight of the Committee's recommendations and has implemented these fully or partially. The Department has not implemented three of the Committee's recommendations.
	Recommendations implemented:
	1. On publishing analysis showing distribution of Corporation Tax paid (published in 2009—to be updated).
	3. On publishing distribution of CT inquiries by value (published in 2009-to be updated).
	4. On completing 95% of inquiries within 18 months (partially implemented and ongoing: HMRC's Large Business Service has a target for 2011-12 of 85%).
	5. On evaluating the effectiveness of the Customer Relationship Manager Role.
	6. On developing and publishing a robust measure of the Corporation Tax gap (partially implemented and ongoing—estimates for Large Business Service component published 2009 and 2010).
	7. On sharing information with other tax authorities.
	10. On publicising the department's approach to high and low risk businesses and robustly applying the new penalty regime.
	11. On assessing the numbers and skills of staff needed and developing a linked training programme (partially implemented and ongoing).
	Recommendations not implemented:
	2. On publishing an annual analysis of the use of reliefs by industry sector.
	8. Government to consider whether to introduce consolidated CT returns.
	9. On indicators of tax avoidance.
	HMRC will publish a full update on the PAC recommendations in its departmental report in July 2011, showing outstanding recommendations and progress towards them.

Corporation Tax: Tax Rates and Bands

Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many private sector enterprises he expects to benefit from the reduction in the main rate of corporation tax to 26%.

David Gauke: Around 45,000 companies that pay tax at the main rate, and around 40,000 that are taxed at the main rate but who receive marginal relief will benefit from the reductions in the main rate of corporation tax announced in the last two Budgets.
	While the majority of companies benefitting will be in the private sector, exact information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Charitable Donations

Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to encourage charitable giving by Ministers in his Department.

Justine Greening: All Government Ministers have pledged to spend time supporting a charity or community group of their choice.

Departmental Compensation

Priti Patel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) paid out in (a) compensation and (b) goodwill payments in respect of mistakes and errors by HMRC in each of the last five years.

David Gauke: We do not distinguish payments as “compensation” and “goodwill”. Total payments made under HMRC’s ex-gratia financial redress policy for 2006-07; 2007-08; and 2008-09 are contained in the HMRC Annual Reports. The information is available from the HMRC website:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/about/reports.htm
	For 2009-10 the payments made totalled £3.74 million, including a single, exceptional payment of £1.2 million. For 2010-11 payments totalled £1.41 million.

Departmental Data Protection

Priti Patel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) data protection breaches and (b) confidentiality breaches were made by HM Revenue and Customs in each of the last five years.

David Gauke: HMRC has kept a central record of all security incidents reported by staff or members of the public since 2007. This central record was formed in support of the Cabinet Office reporting requirements put in place following the Data Handling Review. HMRC was created in 2005 at which point security incidents were managed locally within the legacy departments. This approach continued until the central recording method began in 2007. This central record includes all security incidents involving the unauthorised disclosure of customer or protectively marked information. These records cover both unauthorised disclosures that were accidental and those that were deliberate.
	Security incidents that are data protection breaches are reported to the Information Commissioner's Office in accordance with the guidelines.
	
		
			  ICO reported 
			 2007-08 9 
			 2008-09 6 
			 2009-10 1 
			 2010-11 0 
		
	
	Where staff are suspected of either accessing or deliberately disclosing information without authorisation, HMRC will investigate and oversee disciplinary proceedings that may lead to dismissal. This process is continually being refined to improve the ability to identify these types of occurrences. Depending on the nature of the incident it is also possible for staff to be prosecuted if they have breached the Data Protection Act and/or the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act. Since 2007 HMRC have had 35 such cases where fraud has been investigated, i.e. staff suspected of deliberate unauthorised disclosure
	
		
			  Investigations 
			 2007-08 4 
			 2008-09 8 
			 2009-10 14 
			 2010-11 (1)9 
			 (1) April to September

Departmental Mobile Phones

Mike Freer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the name is of each contractor or supplier of (a) mobile telephone and (b) mobile data services to his Department.

Justine Greening: Mobile telephone and mobile data services are provided to HM Treasury by Vodafone Corporate Ltd.

Departmental Research

Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what (a) longitudinal and (b) other (i) research and (ii) collection of data his Department has (A) initiated, (B) terminated and (C) amended in the last 12 months; and what such research and data collection exercises undertaken by the Department have not been amended in that period.

Damian Green: This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Disadvantaged: Financial Services

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure that money and debt advice is available to people who do not have access to the internet.

Mark Hoban: Advice on money and debt is available from a wide range of sources and through various channels, including the internet the telephone, and face-to-face. The Money Advice Service, established in the Financial Services Act 2010, is providing a national money advice service, which is available via telephone and face-to-face channels for those for whom online advice is impractical or inappropriate. Publicly supported debt advice services are also available across a range of channels.

Employment Agencies

Mike Freer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department spent on (a) recruitment agency fees, (b) outplacement agency fees for displaced or redundant staff and (c) staff training in the last year for which figures are available.

Justine Greening: The Treasury spent £59,000 on recruitment agency fees, £9,000 on outplacement fees and £1,159,000 on staff training during 2010-11. The figures are provisional and subject to audit by the National Audit Office as part of the annual audit of the Department's resource accounts.

Enterprise Investment Scheme

David Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much additional investment he expects to arise from changes 
	(1)  to the enterprise investment scheme announced in the 2011 Budget (a) for businesses directly benefiting from the changes and (b) across the economy;
	(2)  to venture capital trusts announced in the March 2011 Budget (a) for businesses directly benefiting from the changes and (b) across the economy.

David Gauke: Estimates of the Exchequer impact of the proposed changes to the Enterprise Investment Scheme and Venture Capital Trusts Relief were published at Budget in the policy costings document available at:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/2011budget_policycostings.pdf.
	The post-behavioural costing takes into account a net increase in annual investment in both schemes totalling around £200 million resulting from the changes. The reduction in the rate of corporation tax will help to support investment growth through reducing the cost of capital.

Excise Duties: Fuels

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effects of extending the scope of excise duty on hydrocarbon oils to all forms of shipping and aviation for the purposes of raising finance for the Green Climate Fund; and if he will make a statement.

Justine Greening: The UK welcomes the UNFCCC decision to set up the Green Climate Fund and will participate actively to ensure the fund can deliver results, impact and value for money. Decisions on any UK contribution will be made when the fund's capacity to deliver results, impact and value for money is clear. Furthermore, the UK has already announced in the most recent spending review that £2.9 billion is to be spent on international climate finance over the next four years.

Financial Services Compensation Scheme

Craig Whittaker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what his policy is on establishing a sub-class for the general insurance broking sector within the revised Financial Services Compensation Scheme;
	(2)  what assessment his Department has made of recent trends in the levy on general insurance brokers in respect of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the effect on costs for insurance brokers of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

Mark Hoban: The Government appreciate that the levies applied to some members of the broking industry have increased over the last financial year.
	The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is responsible for the funding arrangements for the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), under powers in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and associated legislation.
	Furthermore, the FSCS is responsible for setting levies on firms within the rules and limits set by the FSA. These rules specify the levies that may be collected from each class of firm and the apportionment of levies between individual firms within each class.

Financial Services Compensation Scheme

Craig Whittaker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment his Department has made of the effect on consumers of reviewing the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

Mark Hoban: It is essential that the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) is able to pay out compensation to all eligible policyholders. Without certainty of payout, consumer protection is substantially weakened. It is therefore vital that the FSCS is able to raise resources in a range of circumstances to compensate consumers effectively.
	The rules governing the FSCS are set by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), which has commenced a review of the funding model of the FSCS. They will proceed to a formal consultation and cost benefit analysis once discussions on European directives affecting compensation arrangements have been concluded and the Government's policy on the future role of the FSCS in the context of reform of the regulatory architecture for financial services has been settled.

Gift Aid

Henry Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to introduce a mechanism to enable charities to claim back tax up to £5,000 per annum through the gift aid scheme; and what mechanism he plans to establish.

Justine Greening: At Budget 2011 the Chancellor announced the introduction of the new Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme. The scheme will allow charities to claim a Gift Aid style payment on up to £5,000 of small donations received each year without the need to collect Gift Aid declarations from donors.
	HMRC is consulting informally on the details of the scheme over the summer, with the aim of publishing draft legislation for formal consultation later in the year.
	The scheme is planned to start from April 2013.

Income Tax: Greater London

David Evennett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of pensioners in (a) Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency and (b) London whose tax liability will be reduced as a result of the increase in the income tax personal allowance in 2011-12 for those aged (i) 65 to 74 and (ii) over 75.

David Gauke: Personal allowances for those aged 65-74 and 75 and over rise from £9,490 and £9,640 respectively in 2010-11, to £9,940 and £10,090 respectively in 2011-12. Personal allowances for individuals aged over 65 who have incomes above £24,000 in 2011-12 are gradually reduced to the personal allowance for those aged under 65, which rises from £6,475 in 2010-11 to £7,475 in 2011-12.
	In the London Government Office Region, an estimated 257,000 individuals aged 65-74 and 183,000 individuals aged 75 and over are estimated to see a reduction in their income tax liability as a result of the increases in personal allowances described above.
	These estimates are based on the 2007-08 Survey of Personal Incomes, projected using economic assumptions consistent with the Office for Budget Responsibility's March 2011 economic and fiscal outlook.
	Reliable estimates are not available at the parliamentary constituency level, due to greater uncertainties in projections for small geographical areas and small sample sizes.

Income Tax: Warrington

David Mowat: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of people who will (a) no longer pay income tax and (b) have their income tax payments reduced in (i) Warrington South constituency and (ii) the borough of Warrington a result of the rise in the personal allowance in (A) 2011-12 and (B) 2012-12.

David Gauke: Personal allowances for those aged under 65 have increased by £1,000 in 2011-12 to £7,475, and will increase by £630 in 2012-13 to £8,105.
	Reliable estimates are not available at the parliamentary constituency and local authority level, due to greater uncertainties in projections for small geographical areas and small sample sizes.
	In the North West and Merseyside Government Office Region, an estimated 100,000 are taken out of income tax and 2.52 million basic rate taxpayers gain from the increase in the personal allowance in 2011-12, in 2012-13, 28,000 will be taken out of income tax and 2.68 million taxpayers will gain from the increase in the personal allowance.
	These estimates are based on the 2007-08 Survey of Personal Incomes, projected using economic assumptions consistent with the Office for Budget Responsibility's March 2011 economic and fiscal outlook.

Insurance: EU Law

Craig Whittaker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had at EU level on the Insurance Guarantee Scheme Directive; and when he expects a final text to be drafted.

Mark Hoban: The Treasury submitted a UK response, with the FSA, to the European Commission's White Paper on Insurance Guarantee Schemes in November 2010. The Treasury has regular discussions with European stakeholders on a wide range of financial services dossiers, including the proposed Insurance Guarantee Scheme Directive. It is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.
	The Government expect the European Commission to make a legislative proposal in the second half of 2011 and negotiations will then commence on the dossier.

Mortgages

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans his Department has to make it easier for people who are not in a relationship to share the mortgage for a property.

Danny Alexander: Decisions concerning the pricing and availability of mortgages are commercial decisions for individual banks and building societies. The Government do not seek to intervene in these decisions.

Northern Rock plc

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to receive recommendations from UK Financial Investments Ltd in relation to the future of Northern Rock plc.

Mark Hoban: holding answer 9 May 2011
	UKFI are looking at the full range of alternatives for divestment, and are exploring options based on maximising value for the taxpayer, maintaining financial stability and paying due regard to promoting competition. All exit strategies for Northern Rock plc will be considered with the final decision on the sale of Northern Rock made by the Chancellor.

Public Expenditure

Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effects on each socio-economic group of the reductions in public expenditure announced in (a) the June 2010 Budget and (b) the comprehensive spending review.

Danny Alexander: At Budget 2011 the Government published detailed distributional analysis of the impacts of its decisions. Looking at the cumulative impact of tax, tax credit and benefit reforms introduced at the last Budget and previous fiscal events, the top decile sees the largest losses. This is the case across the income distribution, in both cash terms (Chart A.2) and , as a proportion of net income (Chart A.3). It is also the case across the expenditure distribution, in cash terms (Chart A.4) and as a proportion of expenditure (Chart A.5).
	Chart A.6 in the Budget document shows that, after combining the impact of tax, tax credit and benefit and public service spending changes, the top 20% of households will make the greatest contribution towards reducing the deficit as a percentage of their income and benefits in kind from public services.

Revenue and Customs: Deloitte

David Davis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in respect of how many cases involving the settlement of tax liabilities of over £10 million HM Revenue and Customs has had discussions with Deloitte in the last three years.

David Gauke: The requested information is not centrally held and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Social Enterprises: Renewable Energy

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether community renewable energy projects with social enterprise company structures whose electricity generation commences after 6 April 2012 will be eligible for the Enterprise Investment Scheme or venture capital trusts.

Justine Greening: Legislation will be introduced in Finance Bill 2012 providing that companies whose trade consists wholly or substantially in the receipt of feed-in tariffs will only be eligible for the Enterprise investment Scheme or Venture Capital Trusts where commercial electricity generation commences before 6 April 2012. The change will not apply to any shares issued before 23 March 2011.
	The change is designed to improve the focus of the schemes on smaller, higher risk companies. Draft legislation will be published for consultation before it is implemented.

Tax Allowances: Age

Jo Swinson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of using age-related tax allowances.

David Gauke: The age-related allowances provide support for individuals on low and middle incomes aged 65 and over, and form part of the Government’s overall package of support for pensioners.
	The age-related allowances mean that those aged 65 and over on the lowest incomes, up to around £10,000, are taken out of tax altogether and ensures that those with incomes up to around £29,000 pay less tax than individuals under 65. HMRC estimate that only 45% of individuals aged 65 and over will be liable to income tax in 2011-12.

Tax Collection: Appeals

Tessa Munt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions individual tax codes were changed to recover tax arrears while appeals against recovery of underpayments were underway in 2010.

David Gauke: The information is available only at a disproportionate cost.
	HMRC does not hold a central record of cases where tax codes were changed to recover underpayments or details of how many of these involved ongoing ESC A19 claims at the time when the codes were changed. HMRC revise codes and change tax codes on a regular basis for its customers as part of our normal processing.

Tax Credit: Income

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what analysis his Department has carried out of the effect on income levels in each income decile of (a) reducing the second income threshold for tax credits to £40,000, (b) increasing the first and second withdrawal rates of tax credits to 41 per cent., (c) tapering the family element of the child tax credit immediately after the child element, (d) removing the baby element of the child tax credit, (e) removing the 50 plus element of the working tax credit and (f) removing the supplement for toddlers.

David Gauke: holding answer 5 May 2011
	The measures to which the hon. Member refers are part of a range of reforms to the tax credits system announced at the emergency budget and spending review.
	Estimating the impact of an individual measure does not give a clear indication of the full monetary impact on an individual household.
	The Government published estimates of the distributional impact of the packages of announced tax and benefit measures which can be found at:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/junebudget_annexa.pdf
	http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/sr2010_annexb.pdf

Taxation

Priti Patel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many people have been issued with incorrect tax codes in each year since 1997;
	(2)  in how many cases individuals have been issued with an incorrect tax code owing to errors by (a) HM Revenue and Customs and (b) the individual in each year since 1997.

David Gauke: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for East Dunbartonshire (Jo Swinson) on 3 May 2011, Official Report, column 684W.

Taxation

Priti Patel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the amount of tax owed to HM Revenue and Customs by persons issued with incorrect tax codes in each of the last five years; in how many cases HM Revenue and Customs charged interest to persons owing tax as a result of being issued with an incorrect tax code; what estimate he has made of the administrative cost to HM Revenue and Customs of the issue of incorrect tax codes; and in how many cases in each of the last five years HM Revenue and Customs has written off tax owed due to an incorrect tax code being issued;
	(2)  how much tax is owed to HM Revenue and Customs due to the issue of incorrect tax codes that has been (a) written off or (b) left unrecovered in each of the last five years; and what the 10 largest amounts written off or left unrecovered are.

David Gauke: The information is available only at disproportionate cost.

Taxation

Priti Patel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many notice to file a tax return forms were automatically sent out by HM Revenue and Customs in each of the last five years.

David Gauke: The numbers of self-assessment tax returns issued by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) over the past five years with a due date of 31 January are provided in the following table:
	
		
			 Tax return Due by Number issued (million) 
			 2009-10 31 January 2011 10.0 
			 2008-09 31 January 2010 9.7 
			 2007-08 31 January 2009 9.5 
			 2006-07 31 January 2008 9.3 
			 2005-06 31 January 2007 9.3

Taxation

Priti Patel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many notice to file a tax return forms were sent to people who had previously notified HM Revenue and Customs that they no longer used self-assessment in the last year for which figures are available.

David Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) does not hold this information.

Taxation

Priti Patel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many reportable errors were made by HM Revenue and Customs in each of the last five years.

David Gauke: HMRC reports financial errors in the Department's annual accounts as a note ‘Losses and special payments’. These annual accounts are laid in Parliament but are also available on the internet via:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/about/reports.htm
	This publication also contains the report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on specific areas of audit review by the National Audit Office.
	In addition the Adjudicator provides a service to independently investigate complaints involving mistakes and other areas of reported poor service.
	The Adjudicator's reports can be found on the internet from the following link:
	http://www.adjudicatorsoffice.gov.uk/

Taxation

Nick Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect on the overall tax base of tax increment financing projects in England.

David Gauke: There are currently no tax increment financing projects in England. We are considering options for implementing Tax Increment Financing as part of our work on the Local Government Resource Review. The review will cover a range of issues including the potential impact that tax increment financing could have on public finances.

Taxation: Construction

David Nuttall: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the total amount of deductions was held by HM Revenue and Customs under the Construction Industry Scheme as at (a) 31 March 2008, (b) 31 March 2009, (c) 31 March 2010 and (d) 31 March 2011;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the effects on sub-contractors of their inability to obtain refunds for the deductions due to them from HM Revenue and Customs under the Construction Industry Scheme until after the end of each tax year.

David Gauke: holding answer 9 May 2011
	HMRC does not hold the data requested about deductions held under the Construction Industry Scheme.
	No assessment has been made of the effect on sub-contractors of not being able to obtain refunds of the deductions until after the end of the tax year because HMRC seeks to make a prompt payment of any refund of deductions made under the Construction Industry Scheme due to sub-contractors entitled to receive them.

VAT

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to review value added tax legislation; and whether the removal of exemptions will form part of that review.

David Gauke: All taxes, including VAT and the scope of its exemptions, are kept under review.

VAT: Financial Services

Conor Burns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the levying of value added tax on outsourced insurance-related services which are currently exempt from value added tax in the UK.

David Gauke: Discussions concerning an EU Commission Proposal that would modernise the VAT exemption for financial and insurance services have taken place at the Council of Ministers Working Party level for several years and are continuing under the Hungarian presidency. These have included the issue of the VAT treatment of outsourcing in the insurance sector. The matter was discussed by Ministers as part of an overall orientation debate on the dossier at the November 2010 ECOFIN.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

British Sky Broadcasting: News Corporation

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport 
	(1)  on what date he last met with representatives of Ofcom to discuss News Corporation's proposed acquisition of BSkyB;
	(2)  on what date he last met with representatives of the Office of Fair Trading to discuss News Corporation's proposed acquisition of BSkyB;
	(3)  on what date he last met with representatives of News Corporation to discuss their proposed acquisition of BSkyB.

Jeremy Hunt: I last met with the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and the Office of Communications (Ofcom) on 24 March, and with News Corporation on 20 January to discuss News Corporation's proposed acquisition of BSkyB.

Broadband

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 23 May 2011, Official Report, columns 346-47W, on broadband, when he intends to publish the high speed broadband balanced scorecard; and how often he plans to update it.

Jeremy Hunt: We intend to publish the scorecard during the summer. It will be updated annually.

Communications Bill

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will publish the responses he has received to his open letter on his proposed Communications Bill.

Jeremy Hunt: A summary of the responses to the open letter on the communications review will be published alongside the Green Paper at the end of 2011.

Construction: Standards

Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment his Department has made of the compliance of its Executive agency with OGC Common Minimum Standards for the Built Environment when commissioning construction projects.

John Penrose: The Royal Parks is this Department’s only agency and it is currently working towards compliance with OGC Common Minimum Standards for the Built Environment when commissioning construction projects.

Creative England

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when Creative England's long-term business plan will be published.

Jeremy Hunt: Following a consultation period at the start of the year, Creative England intends to publish their long-term business plan by September 2011.

Creative England

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what meetings he has had with the heads of the regional screening agencies on the creation of Creative England.

Jeremy Hunt: I have not met with any of the heads of the regional screen agencies (RSA) to discuss the creation of Creative England; however my officials have been involved in a number of discussions with the RSA on this subject.

Departmental Manpower

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will make it his policy to publish monthly information on changes in the numbers of his Department’s employees categorised by (a) seniority, (b) number of employees taking voluntary redundancy, (c) natural wastage and (d) involuntary redundancy.

John Penrose: The Department provides regular updates on its headcount and natural wastage through its annual report and accounts, and monthly returns to the Office for National Statistics. We have no plans to provide more regular updates given the administrative burden this entails.

Departmental Research

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what (a) longitudinal and (b) other (i) research and (ii) collection of data his Department has (A) initiated, (B) terminated and (C) amended in the last 12 months; and what such research and data collection exercises undertaken by the Department have not been amended in that period.

John Penrose: The information you have requested can be found in the following table:
	
		
			 Project type Research Data collections 
			 Longitudinal   
			 Initiated  Taking Part longitudinal panel 
			    
			 Terminated  Licensing statistics (moved to Home Office) 
			    
			 Amended   
			    
			 Other   
			 Initiated Creative Industry (CI) Small/Medium Enterprises access to finance  
		
	
	
		
			  Digital Radio cost-benefit analysis  
			  Volunteering analysis via Culture and Sport Evidence programme (CASE)  
			  CASE database update  
			  Philanthropy research via CASE  
			  CASE local profile tool  
			  Analysis of Taking Part data  
			  Broadband impact evaluation  
			    
			 Terminated  Free swimming data 
			    
			 Amended CI outputs Taking Part survey 
		
	
	Other data collections and research projects that remain unchanged are as follows:
	Olympics meta-evaluation
	Country and Regional Analysis
	DCMS Sponsored Museum Monthly Visits
	University Museum Visits
	Jobs, Skills, Futures Employment and Skills update
	Geographical distribution of contracts
	Museum Key Performance Indicators
	Export of Objects of Cultural Interest
	Portable Antiquities and Treasure
	Whole of Government accounts (WGA)
	Laying of sponsored bodies annual reports and accounts
	Annual public bodies directory
	Broadband Rollout programme Monitoring data
	Finance statistics
	HR statistics
	Lottery grants database

Football

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what recent meetings he has had with the Football Association on football governance;
	(2)  what recent meetings he has had with the Football League on football governance;
	(3)  what recent meetings he has had with the FA Premier League on football governance.

Jeremy Hunt: Along with the Minister for Sport and the Olympics, I meet regularly with the Football Association, the Premier League and Football League, as we take forward our commitment to work with these bodies to help reform football's current governance arrangements and support the cooperative ownership of football clubs by supporters.
	We look forward to receiving the report from the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee on football governance before setting out our intentions in this area.

Intellectual Property and Growth

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he last met the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills to discuss the Hargreaves review of Intellectual Property and Growth.

Jeremy Hunt: I regularly meet with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) to discuss a range of subjects and views. Although we have not met specifically to discuss the Hargreaves Review of Intellectual Property, this has been a part of more general discussions.
	The Minister for Intellectual Property, Baroness Wilcox, together with Ian Hargreaves, and I have met representatives from the creative industries to discuss the Hargreaves Review.
	There have also been regular meetings between Baroness Wilcox and the Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries (Mr Vaizey); at which the Review was one of the topics for discussion.

Music: Licensing Laws

Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with Phonographic Performance Limited on licensing requirements for occupants of private offices who listen to a radio owned by an individual where the public cannot hear the radio broadcast.

Edward Davey: I have been asked to reply.
	These issues are for the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), who has responsibility for intellectual property matters. However, neither the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills nor the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), have had any specific discussions with Phonographic Performance Ltd on this point.

Ofcom

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 3 May 2011, Official Report, column 632W, on the Digital Economy Act 2010, when he expects to receive the report from Ofcom on the technical workability of reserve site blocking provisions.

Jeremy Hunt: I have now received Ofcom's report on the workability of sections 17 and 18 of the Digital Economy Act. We will consider the report carefully and publish it and the Government's response in due course.

Olympic Games 2012

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 10 May 2011, Official Report, column 1059W, on the Olympic Games 2012, what criteria he plans to use to determine who would qualify as (a) a domestic political leader and (b) dignitaries and others with a close connection to the Games for the purposes of allocation of tickets.

Hugh Robertson: The Olympic and Paralympic Games are a once in a generation opportunity for the UK to showcase itself to a massive international audience, and the Government will use this unique opportunity for the benefit of the whole of the UK.
	The objective of Government's Olympic and Paralympics Games Domestic Dignitary programme is to ensure that dignitaries represent the UK at the full range of sporting and cultural events in London; including supporting the teams and carrying out media duties. It will provide opportunities for Government to represent the UK with other international dignitaries and promote the UK, as well as providing a memorable experience for dignitaries who have made a significant contribution to the Games, or whose organisation is operational at the Games.
	The Government are in the process of assessing the allocation of tickets to support the dignitary management programme.

Olympic Games 2012

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 10 May 2011, Official Report, column 1059W, on the Olympic Games 2012, for which events the Government has applied for tickets; and what the basis is on which those events were chosen.

Hugh Robertson: The Government have bid for a selection of tickets at different price categories for a wide range of events covering all days of the Olympics. The tickets will be used to support a domestic dignitary management programme on behalf of central Government. Where appropriate, we plan to charge for these tickets. In addition, some tickets will be used for international guests who are not accredited to the Games (only sovereigns, head of state/Government and Sports Ministers are accredited) and for international business guests in support of securing economic benefits.

Olympic Games 2012

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 10 May 2011, Official Report, column 1059W, on the Olympic Games 2012, what criteria he plans to use to determine which staff are eligible to apply for the 3,000 tickets.

Hugh Robertson: A ballot has been set up to allow a range of public servants, who have worked closely on the Games for over a year, the opportunity to purchase a pair of tickets at face value.

Olympic Games 2012

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 10 May 2011, Official Report, column 1059W, on the Olympic Games 2012, if he will publish a list of Olympic tickets the Government has obtained; to whom they were allocated; and the cost to the public purse of such tickets when the information is available to his Department.

Hugh Robertson: After the Games, the Government will publish a list of those dignitaries to whom they allocated tickets, the cost to Government of those tickets, and the number of staff who purchased tickets.

Olympic Games 2012

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 10 May 2011, Official Report, column 1059W, on the Olympic Games 2012, what criteria he plans to use to decide who is invited to use the 6,000 tickets not being made available to staff.

Hugh Robertson: The bid for dignitary tickets covers Government Departments and some host venue towns and cities outside London.
	Government tickets will be used for a variety of purposes including inviting and accompanying a number of international and domestic political and business leaders, as well as dignitaries and others with a close connection to the games and its legacy.
	The venue towns and cities will buy their allocations under their host county or borough agreements with LOCOG and will offer tickets to civic leaders, local influencers, or other local causes at their discretion.

Olympic Games 2012

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 10 May 2011, Official Report, column 1059W, on the Olympic Games 2012, what proportion of the 6,000 tickets will be used by the Government for liaison with international and domestic political and business leaders, dignitaries and others with a close connection to the games.

Hugh Robertson: The figures will change between now and the Olympic games, but on current forecasts, we expect around two-thirds to be used by central Government and around one-third to be used by venue towns and cities outside London.

Olympic Games 2012

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what recent assessment he has made of the likely effect on the economy of Northern Ireland of the London 2012 Olympics;
	(2)  what recent assessment he has made of the likely effect on the economy of Wales of the London 2012 Olympics;
	(3)  what recent assessment he has made of the likely effect on the economy of Scotland of the London 2012 Olympics;
	(4)  what recent assessment he has made of the likely effect on the economy of London of the London 2012 Olympics;
	(5)  what recent assessment he has made of the likely effect on the economy of the North West of the London 2012 Olympics;
	(6)  what recent assessment he has made of the likely effect on the economy of the North East of the London 2012 Olympics;
	(7)  what recent assessment he has made of the likely effect on the economy of the West Midlands of the London 2012 Olympics;
	(8)  what recent assessment he has made of the likely effect on the economy of the East Midlands of the London 2012 Olympics;
	(9)  what recent assessment he has made of the likely effect on the economy of the East of England of the London 2012 Olympics;
	(10)  what recent assessment he has made of the likely effect on the economy of the South East of the London 2012 Olympics;
	(11)  what recent assessment he has made of the likely effect on the economy of the South West of the London 2012 Olympics.

Jeremy Hunt: The whole of the UK stands to gain from the wide range of opportunities created by the 2012 games, through businesses winning Games-related work, increased tourism and cultural celebrations. London 2012 has already brought significant new opportunities for UK businesses especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
	The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is responsible for developing and building the venues and infrastructure for the London 2012 games. As of May 2011, 1500 businesses have supplied the ODA from across the UK. Thousands of businesses up and down the UK are working on the games through supplier contracts worth in excess of £5 billion.
	For the specific nations and regions you have requested, the number and value of contracts awarded by the ODA can be found in the following table:
	
		
			 Nation or region Number of suppliers Committed spend to date (£) 
			 East Midlands 44 338,986,781 
			 East of England 138 830,382,444 
			 London 759 3,284,082,889 
			 North East 22 11,863,982 
			 North West 53 104,181,567 
			 South East 233 1,005,464,742 
			 South West 67 11,490,188 
			 West Midlands 60 450,045,065 
			 N. Ireland 5 18,043,690 
			 Scotland 25 24,476,220 
			 Wales 10 417,415 
		
	
	These figures do not include the value of contracts further down the supply chain, in tiers two, three and so on, which are awarded by the tier one contractors and not by the ODA. The ODA estimates that the total value of supply chain contracts to the regions runs into millions of pounds, but these are not public procurements and so the full value of contracts won across the UK is not captured by the figures provided. The ODA estimates that overall up to 50,000 contracts will be generated throughout its supply chains.
	All companies in the UK have the opportunity to register an interest for London 2012 business opportunities on CompeteFor, the London 2012 supplier website. For the specific nations and regions you have requested, the number of companies who have registered and been awarded contracts through CompeteFor can be found in the following table:
	
		
			 Nation or region Number of companies registered on CompeteFor Number of contracts awarded via CompeteFor 
			 East Midlands 7,691 89 
			 East of England 16,098 227 
			 London 41,275 783 
			 North East 3,945 30 
			 North West 8,315 103 
			 South East 23,806 297 
			 South West 8,440 70 
			 West Midlands 10,727 304 
		
	
	
		
			 N. Ireland 1,688 8 
			 Scotland 3,905 42 
			 Wales 3,391 46 
		
	
	In addition, the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) is now ramping up procurement for £700 million worth of goods and services it requires to stage the games.
	Pre-games training camps will provide an opportunity to create further economic benefits, including inward investment, through the international attention that will follow. Facilities across the nations and regions that met the criteria to be world-class training venues are included in the official London 2012 Pre-Games Training Camp Guide. The guide has been produced in an online form and is accessible at:
	http://trainingcamps.london2012.com
	Agreements are now in place in nations and regions for teams to use the facilities in preparation for the games.
	Further assessment of the growth being created in the UK because of the London 2012 games can be found in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Quarterly Report, the most recent of which was published in May and can be found at the following link:
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/publications/DCMS_GOE_QR_May_2011.pdf

Olympic Games 2012

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many tickets for the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics have been allocated to schools in (a) London, (b) England, (c) Scotland, (d) Wales and (e) Northern Ireland.

Hugh Robertson: The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) has placed 6.6 million tickets for the London 2012 Olympic games on sale to the UK public, including special prices for young people in a ‘Pay Your Age’ scheme for over 200 sessions. Further tickets will go on sale for the Paralympic games in September, with prices for young people starting at £5. As the Paralympic games take place in term-time, LOCOG will particularly encourage school groups to attend by providing group packages.
	In addition to the main ticketing process, LOCOG has also announced a scheme called Ticketshare. Through a levy on those purchasing hospitality packages for the London 2012 games, Ticketshare will donate up to 100,000 tickets for children and young people in schools and colleges across the UK. To be eligible, schools and colleges need to apply to join the Get Set Network, part of LOCOG's education progamme. 50,000 of these tickets will go to schools and colleges in London, and 50,000 will go to schools and colleges across the rest of the UK. In addition, the Mayor of London has provided 75,000 additional tickets for London schools and colleges.
	The tickets will be distributed through the Get Set network, and therefore the numbers to each nation/region will depend on the number of schools and colleges that apply by the deadline of Friday, 16 December 2011.

Olympic Games 2012

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to ensure 
	(1)  that (a) jobs and (b) growth in all parts of the UK benefit from the London 2012 Olympics;
	(2)  the legacy of the London 2012 Olympics will benefit all parts of the UK.

Jeremy Hunt: The whole of the UK stands to benefit from the London 2012 Games, including those through direct contracts and their supply chains; from tourism, the investment in sport and through the opportunities for schools and young people.
	The Nations and Regions Group, established by the Government Olympic Executive (GOE) and the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG), works directly with each UK nation and region to help them realise and maximise the benefits from the economic, sporting and cultural opportunities offered by the games.
	The games will also provide a focus for the tourism industry. The Government’s Tourism Policy, published in March, aims to help the tourism industry achieve its potential for growth through a range of measures. This initiative aims to generate 4 million extra overseas visitors over the next four years bringing in an extra £2 billion worth of visitor spend and helping to create 50,000 new jobs across the country.
	The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and LOCOG procurements continue to provide business opportunities for companies across the UK, in particular the SMEs which benefit from supply chain opportunities. LOCOG is now accelerating its procurement programme. It is procuring £700 million worth of contracts for goods and services across eight sectors—including performance and events, security, sports and technology. It will require a workforce of around 200,000 people, including 6,000 staff, up to 70,000 volunteers and up to 100,000 contractors. The procurement process for contractors was launched at the end of 2009 and most of the contracts will be awarded by the end of 2011.
	The games will also provide a sporting and cultural legacy across the UK. We are introducing the school games, a new school sport competition which will provide more opportunities for pupils to compete in sport through a vibrant programme of regular intra and inter-school competitions. Through the Inspire Programme cultural and sporting projects can link their events and projects in an official capacity to London 2012. Get Set, the London 2012 education programme, aims to enhance young people’s learning through sport, culture and education and the Legacy Trust UK will help communities from across the UK build a lasting legacy from the games.
	In addition, the ‘Places People Play’ programme has been created to bring sporting legacy to life in communities across the country. This will be achieved by transforming the places where people play sport, inspiring people to make sport happen at a local level and creating sporting opportunities that give everyone the chance to become part of the mass participation legacy.

Olympic Games 2012

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many contracts the Olympic Delivery Authority had awarded to firms located in (a) Wales, (b) each region of England, (c) Scotland, (d) Northern Ireland and (e) elsewhere up to and including 30 April 2011.

Hugh Robertson: The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is responsible for developing and building the venues and infrastructure for the London 2012 games. As of May 2011, 1,500 businesses, including those directly involved in the construction programme, have supplied the ODA from across all of the devolved nations and English regions.
	The number of the ODA's direct suppliers, by nation and English region (according to their registered address), can be found in the following table:
	
		
			 Regional development agency Number of suppliers 
			 East Midlands 44 
			 East of England 138 
			 London 759 
			 North East 22 
			 North West 53 
			 South East 233 
			 South West 67 
			 West Midlands 60 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 43 
			 Northern Ireland 5 
			 Scotland 25 
			 Wales 10 
			 Overseas 41 
			 Total 1,500 
		
	
	These figures only account for the contracts awarded by the ODA to its own top tier of contractors (tier one contractors). The figures do not include contracts further down the supply chain, in tiers two, three and so on, which are awarded by the tier one contractors and not by the ODA. The ODA estimates that tens of thousands of more contracts will be generated throughout its supply chains. More information on businesses that have won games-related contracts can be found at the business section of the London 2012 website at the following link:
	www.london2012.com/business
	Please note the figure published for number of suppliers in December 2010 included one supplier of a small contract that was incorrectly categorised as being from Wales by the ODA.

Olympic Games 2012

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what the monetary value has been of London 2012 Olympics construction contracts awarded to companies registered in (a) Wales, (b) each region of England, (c) Scotland, (d) Northern Ireland and (e) elsewhere up to and including 1 May 2011.

Hugh Robertson: The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is responsible for developing and building the venues and infrastructure for the London 2012 games. As of May 2011, 1,500 businesses, including those directly involved in the construction programme, have supplied the ODA from across the devolved nations and the English regions.
	The spend to date by the ODA, by Nation and English region (based on their registered address on the supplier invoice), can be found in the tables.
	
		
			 Nation Committed spend to date (£) 
			 Scotland 24,476,220 
			 Wales 417,415 
		
	
	
		
			 Northern Ireland 18,043,690 
			 England 6,107,828,831 
			 Outside the UK 37,868,901 
		
	
	
		
			 English region Committed spend to date (£) 
			 London 3,284,082,889 
			 South East 1,005,464,742 
			 East of England 830,382,444 
			 West Midlands 450,045,065 
			 East Midlands 338,986,781 
			 North West 104,181,567 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 71,331,173 
			 North East 11,863,982 
			 South West 11,490,188 
			 Total 6,188,635,057 
		
	
	These figures only account for the contracts awarded by the ODA to its own top tier of contractors (tier one contractors). The figures do not include the values of contracts further down the supply chain, in tiers two, three and so on, which are awarded by the tier one contractors and not by the ODA. For example, the steel reinforcements for the Olympic Stadium’s podium structure came from Express Reinforcement in Neath, while Bluebay Building Products, based in Cardiff provided reinforced concrete for the bridges and highways on the Olympic Park.
	The ODA estimates that the total value of supply chain contracts to the regions runs into hundreds of millions of pounds, but these are not public procurements and so the full value of contracts won across the UK is not captured by the figures provided. The ODA estimates that overall up to 50,000 contracts will be generated throughout its supply chains.
	Please note the figure published for committed spend to date in December 2010 included one supplier of a small contract that was incorrectly categorised as being from Wales by the ODA.

Sports

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what criteria his Department applies when assessing the quality of the governance of the sports it supports.

Jeremy Hunt: We continue to challenge all sporting bodies to create, improve and maintain the best possible governance structures. We believe that dedicated professionals working within strong, independent, transparent and accountable organisations are the best way of ensuring that sporting bodies are able to reflect the identity and expectations of the whole community.
	Sport England and UK Sport specifically works to support core-funded sporting bodies through a formal governance assurance programme that includes an annual self-assessment, supported by an onsite independent audit every three to four years.

Tourism

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether Ministers in his Department met overseas travel companies to discuss his Department's tourism strategy in advance of its publication.

Jeremy Hunt: The outbound market is an important part of our tourism economy and in developing the Government's new strategy for tourism, published in March, the Minister for Tourism (John Penrose), met with representatives of the outbound travel trade including the Association of British Travel Agents and the Association of Independent Tour Operators. In creating a new four year international marketing fund for tourism, with support from major companies, the Minister and I also held discussions with a range of airline carriers and ferry operators.

Tourism

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the contribution of (a) domestic and (b) international golf tourism to the visitor economy.

John Penrose: In response to surveys undertaken by VisitBritain, in 2007, 1.7% of holiday visitors, 0.6% of business visitors and 2.2% visiting friends and relations said that they had played golf during their visit to the UK. VisitEngland has not undertaken any specific research about the value of golf to the visitor economy in England.

Tourism: Diamond Jubilee 2012

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he last met the Mayor of London to discuss the potential effects on tourism of the (a) Queen's diamond jubilee and (b) London 2012 Olympics.

Jeremy Hunt: I meet the Mayor of London regularly to discuss issues relating to the London 2012 Olympic games and Paralympic games, and opportunities like the Queen's diamond jubilee for promoting the capital. The establishment of London & Partners as the promotional vehicle for the capital is to be welcomed and I understand that they will be working with VisitBritain and VisitEngland on developing and growing the visitor economy.

VAT: Sports

David Ward: To ask Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will discuss with the Chancellor of the Exchequer the potential effect on the take up of and participation in league sport of the decision to apply the standard rate of VAT to all sports league payments.

David Gauke: holding answer 24 May 2011
	I have been asked to reply.
	HMRC’s view is that the provision of sports league services is liable to VAT at the standard rate. As a number of providers have been treating these supplies as exempt from VAT, HMRC issued further guidance in February 2011, confirming their view that the provision of sports league services is liable to VAT. There has been no change in policy.

JUSTICE

Civil Litigation: Legal Costs

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to his Department's document, Reforming Civil Litigation Funding and Costs in England and Wales, what reports he received during the consultation period of the number and proportion of meritorious cases in Scotland that are not pursued as a consequence of funding arrangements.

Jonathan Djanogly: “Reforming Civil Litigation Funding and Costs in England and Wales—Implementation of Lord Justice Jackson's Recommendations: The Government Response” was published on 29 March 2011. It includes a summary of responses received during the consultation period. The views of respondents who referred to the civil litigation funding regime in Scotland were clearly split. For example, one respondent pointed to Compensation Recovery Unit statistics suggesting a reduced recovery rate in Scotland than in England and Wales. Other respondents pointed to the Scottish system as an example of how conditional fee agreements can work in providing access to justice without recoverable success fees.

Civil Litigation: Legal Costs

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to his proposals for qualified one way costs shifting, what the minimum contribution is that a losing claimant will be expected to pay towards a defendant's costs.

Jonathan Djanogly: As was indicated in the “Reforming Civil Litigation Funding and Costs in England and Wales—Implementation of Lord Justice Jackson's Recommendations: The Government Response”, published on 29 March 2011, that the Government would discuss with stakeholders how the rules on qualified one way costs shifting should be drafted. This would include whether any minimum payment to a successful defendant's costs should be payable by a losing claimant.

Civil Litigation: Legal Costs

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to his Department’s document, Reforming Civil Litigation Funding and Costs in England and Wales, what the evidential basis is for his assessment that claimant solicitors will adapt to maximise profits under his proposals.

Jonathan Djanogly: “Reforming Civil Litigation Funding and Costs in England and Wales—Implementation of Lord Justice Jackson’s Recommendations: The Government Response” was published on 29 March. The impact assessment published with the Government response sets out a number of assumptions, including that the legal sector will adapt to the changes.

Civil Litigation: Legal Costs

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to his Department’s document, Reforming Civil Litigation Funding and Costs in England and Wales, how he expects claimants’ costs in appeal cases on significant points of law to be funded.

Jonathan Djanogly: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Hammersmith (Mr Slaughter) on 26 April 2011, Official Report, column 135W. Claimants will be able to fund appeals in the same way that they fund cases at first instance.

Civil Litigation: Legal Costs

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to his Department’s document, Reforming Civil Litigation Funding and Costs in England and Wales, what reports he received during the consultation period on the number and proportion of clinical negligence claims presented as meritorious but screened out by after the event insurers as unmeritorious.

Jonathan Djanogly: “Reforming Civil Litigation Funding and Costs in England and Wales—Implementation of Lord Justice Jackson’s Recommendations: The Government Response” was published on 29 March 2011. It includes a summary of responses received during the consultation period, including—at paragraph 166—that:
	“[After the event] ATE insurers and some lawyers, in particular, argued that ATE insurance providers currently risk assess claims so that only stronger claims are brought”.

Convictions

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many persons convicted of offences of rape in each of the last five years already had convictions for (a) another offence of rape, (b) another sexual offence, (c) another violent offence and (d) any other offence.

Crispin Blunt: Table 1 gives the numbers and proportions of offenders sentenced between 2006 and 2010 for an offence of rape in England and Wales, who at the time of their sentence had at least one previous conviction for rape, for a sexual offence including rape, for an offence of violence against the person, or for any other offence.
	These figures have been derived from the data used for table A7.10 of ‘Criminal Statistics Quarterly Bulletin’ which was published by the Ministry of Justice on 26 May 2011.
	These figures have been drawn from the police's administrative IT system, the police national computer, which, as with any large scale recording system, is subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. The figures are provisional and subject to change as more information is recorded by the police.
	
		
			 Table 1: Number and proportion of offenders convicted of rape in England and Wales between 2006 and 2010, who had at least one previous conviction for a violent offence, a sexual offence, rape or any other offence  (1) 
			   Offenders who have been convicted previously for:  (2)   
			   Rape Sexual offences  (3) Violence against the person Any other offences No previous conviction 
			  All offenders  (2)   (100%) No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % 
			 2006 932 36 3.9 134 14.4 261 28.0 233 25.0 371 39.8 
		
	
	
		
			 2007 936 33 3.5 109 11.6 226 24.1 287 30.7 368 39.3 
			 2008 962 28 2.9 109 11.3 216 22.5 279 29.0 404 42.0 
			 2009 1,048 31 3.0 110 10.5 239 22.8 309 29.5 439 41.9 
			 2010 1,082 26 2.4 112 10.4 253 23.4 303 28.0 464 42.9 
			 (1) The figures are based on information drawn from the Police National Computer and may differ slightly from information recorded in the Crown Court. (2) The figures are based on counts of sentencing occasions where the primary offence was rape and where the offender had at least one previous conviction for one of the offence types specified. An offender may be counted more than once if he or she has been sentenced on more than occasion during the period or has both previous violent and previous sexual offences. Therefore the numbers in the table do not sum to the total number sentenced. (3) Including previous offences of rape.

Convictions: Hunting

Neil Parish: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what proportion of convictions under the Hunting Act 2005 have related to hunts recognised and regulated by the Council of Hunting Associations.

Crispin Blunt: The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts in England and Wales in 2010 (latest available) for offences under the Hunting Act 2004 can be viewed in the table.
	The Ministry of Justice Court Proceedings Database contains information on defendants proceeded against, found guilty and sentenced for criminal offences in England and Wales. Other than where specified in a statute statistical information available centrally does not include the circumstances of each case. It is not possible to separately identify those specific cases proceeded against under the Hunting Act 2004 related to hunts recognised and regulated by the Council of Hunting Associations.
	
		
			 Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts, for offences under the Hunting Act 2004, England and Wales, 2010  (1, 2) 
			  Number/percentage 
			 Proceeded against (number) 49 
			 Found guilty (number) 36 
			 Conviction ratio (percentage) 73 
			 (1) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice.

Departmental Manpower

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will make it his policy to publish monthly information on changes in the numbers of his Department's employees categorised by (a) seniority, (b) number of employees taking voluntary redundancy, (c) natural wastage and (d) involuntary redundancy.

Kenneth Clarke: At this stage there are no plans to publish a more detailed breakdown of departmental work force statistics or to increase the current list of pre-announced publications.
	Under Cabinet Office guidelines the Office for National Statistics collects employment figures from all Departments quarterly and while decision making internally makes use of such figures, to ensure the best use of departmental resources, the required data cleansing exercises would not currently allow statistics to be presented that matched publication guidelines. If in the future there is an opportunity to increase the frequency and detail of this published data we would revisit this publication issue.
	In addition, the Ministry supports the coalition Government's Transparency Agenda and discloses details of senior staff salaries and work force statistics. The first round of this disclosure was published in October 2010 and reflected the position within the Ministry at 30 June 2010. The second round of disclosure is due to be published shortly and will show the position within the Ministry at 31 March 2011.

Drugs: Prosecutions

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmonds of 26 April 2011, Official Report, columns 139-42W, on drugs: prosecutions, how many and what proportion of those prosecuted for offences of (a) possession of and (b) dealing in (i) heroin, (ii) cocaine and (iii) amphetamines were (A) found not guilty, (B) fined and (C) imprisoned in each year since 2006.

Crispin Blunt: The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts, for offences relating to the possession and supply of cocaine, heroin and amphetamines, including the sentence received at all courts in England and Wales, 2006 to 2010 (latest available) can be viewed in the table.
	Defendants proceeded against, at magistrates court, in one year may not be the same individuals convicted or acquitted at the Crown Court in that year. It is therefore not possible to directly compare proceedings in one year to the final outcome in that year.
	
		
			 Defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts, acquitted and sentence breakdown for selected drug offences, England and Wales, 2006-10  (1,2,3,4,5) 
			 Offence and outcome 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 
			 Possession Heroin      
			 Proceeded against 4,184 4,857 5,010 5,028 4,852 
			       
			 Acquitted 57 60 31 45 39 
			 As a percentage of those proceeded against (%) 1 1 1 1 1 
			       
			 Total sentenced 3,939 4,628 4,870 4,885 4,732 
			 Of which:      
			 Fine 1,159 1,335 1,478 1,699 1,705 
			 As a percentage of total sentenced (%) 29 29 30 35 36 
			 Immediate custody 370 416 451 323 407 
			 As a percentage of total sentenced (%) 9 9 9 7 9 
			 Other sentences 2,410 2,877 2,941 2,863 2,620 
			 As a percentage of total sentenced (%) 61 62 60 59 55 
			       
			 Possession Cocaine      
			 Proceeded against 4,190 5,156 6,051 5,808 5,165 
			       
			 Acquitted 98 92 69 84 102 
			 As a percentage of those proceeded against (%) 2 2 1 1 2 
			       
			 Total sentenced 3,981 4,882 5,825 5,578 4,928 
			 Of which:      
			 Fine 2,055 2,307 2,839 2,941 2,710 
			 As a percentage of total sentenced (%) 52 47 49 53 55 
			 Immediate custody 187 213 249 240 188 
			 As a percentage of total sentenced (%) 5 4 4 4 4 
			 Other sentences 1,739 2,362 2,737 2,397 2,030 
			 As a percentage of total sentenced (%) 44 48 47 43 41 
			       
			 Possession Amphetamines      
			 Proceeded against 2,308 2,431 2,625 2,397 2,433 
			       
			 Acquitted 26 29 12 19 27 
			 As a percentage of those proceeded against (%) 1 1 0 1 1 
			       
			 Total sentenced 2,159 2,304 2,530 2,325 2,338 
			 Of which:      
			 Fine 940 917 1,092 1,117 1,129 
			 As a percentage of total sentenced (%) 44 40 43 48 48 
			 Immediate custody 85 99 92 77 118 
			 As a percentage of total sentenced (%) 4 4 4 3 5 
			 Other sentences 1,134 1,288 1,346 1,131 1,091 
			 As a percentage of total sentenced (%) 53 56 53 49 47 
			       
			 Possession with intent to supply Heroin      
			 Proceeded against 1,391 1,571 1,514 1,512 1,567 
			       
			 Acquitted 175 130 132 141 121 
			 As a percentage of those proceeded against (%) 13 8 9 9 8 
			       
			 Total sentenced 1,101 1,138 1,331 1,205 1,326 
			 Of which:      
			 Fine 8 6 3 1 1 
		
	
	
		
			 As a percentage of total sentenced (%) 1 1 0 0 0 
			 Immediate custody 847 877 1,020 953 1,025 
			 As a percentage of total sentenced (%) 77 77 77 79 77 
			 Other sentences 246 255 308 251 300 
			 As a percentage of total sentenced (%) 22 22 23 21 23 
			       
			 Possession with intent to supply Cocaine      
			 Proceeded against 1,332 1,528 1,725 1,671 1,706 
			       
			 Acquitted 157 154 159 184 192 
			 As a percentage of those proceeded against (%) 12 10 9 11 11 
			       
			 Total sentenced 986 1,165 1,530 1,670 1,640 
			 Of which:      
			 Fine 9 19 11 7 9 
			 As a percentage of total sentenced (%) 1 2 1 0 1 
			 Immediate custody 774 837 1,144 1,303 1,250 
			 As a percentage of total sentenced (%) 78 72 75 78 76 
			 Other sentences 203 309 375 360 381 
			 As a percentage of total sentenced (%) 21 27 25 22 23 
			       
			 Possession with intent to supply Amphetamine      
			 Proceeded against 294 330 341 347 388 
			       
			 Acquitted 26 29 23 37 40 
			 As a percentage of those proceeded against (%) 9 9 7 11 10 
			       
			 Total sentenced 262 283 320 291 322 
			 Of which:      
			 Fine 1 6 2 6 7 
			 As a percentage of total sentenced (%) 0 2 1 2 2 
			 Immediate custody 109 125 156 129 140 
			 As a percentage of total sentenced (%) 42 44 49 44 43 
			 Other sentences 152 152 162 156 175 
			 As a percentage of total sentenced (%) 58 54 51 54 54 
			       
			 Supplying or offering to supply Heroin      
			 Proceeded against 1,494 1,472 1,374 1,506 1,711 
			       
			 Acquitted 74 66 79 73 62 
			 As a percentage of those proceeded against (%) 5 4 6 5 4 
			       
			 Total sentenced 1,166 1,159 1,207 1,202 1,190 
			 Of which:      
			 Fine — 4 3 — 2 
			 As a percentage of total sentenced (%) — 0 0 — 0 
			 Immediate custody 810 829 841 851 822 
			 As a percentage of total sentenced (%) 69 72 70 71 69 
			 Other sentences 356 326 363 351 366 
			 As a percentage of total sentenced (%) 31 28 30 29 31 
			       
			 Supplying or offering to supply Cocaine      
			 Proceeded against 782 920 1,164 996 996 
			       
			 Acquitted 40 72 68 66 58 
			 As a percentage of those proceeded against (%) 5 8 6 7 6 
			       
			 Total sentenced 502 526 714 748 656 
			 Of which:      
			 Fine 12 6 9 4 5 
		
	
	
		
			 As a percentage of total sentenced (%) 2 1 1 1 1 
			 Immediate custody 358 353 514 530 463 
			 As a percentage of total sentenced (%) 71 67 72 71 71 
			 Other sentences 132 167 191 214 188 
			 As a percentage of total sentenced (%) 26 32 27 29 29 
			       
			 Supply or offering to supply Amphetamine      
			 Proceeded against 87 113 114 123 111 
			       
			 Acquitted 12 7 8 6 11 
			 As a percentage of those proceeded against (%) 14 6 7 5 10 
			       
			 Total sentenced 89 75 79 102 85 
			 Of which:      
			 Fine 2 4 4 3 5 
			 As a percentage of total sentenced (%) 2 5 5 3 6 
			 Immediate custody 54 23 38 59 42 
			 As a percentage of total sentenced (%) 61 31 48 58 49 
			 Other sentences 33 48 37 40 38 
			 As a percentage of total sentenced (%) 37 64 47 39 45 
			 (1) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3) Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008. (4) Acquitted includes: Discharged and Dismissed at magistrates courts and Acquitted at the Crown Court. (5) Other sentences include: Absolute and conditional discharge, community sentence, suspended sentence and otherwise dealt with. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice

Employment Tribunals Service

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what number and proportion of employment tribunal claims were multiple claims against private sector employers in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many and what proportion of employment tribunal claims were multiple claims against public sector employers in each of the last five years.

Jonathan Djanogly: Claims to the employment tribunals may be classified into two broad categories: singles and multiples. Multiple cases are where two or more people bring cases, involving one or more jurisdiction(s) usually against a single employer but not necessarily so (for instance in transfer of undertaking cases) and always arising out of the same or very similar circumstances. As a multiple, the cases are processed, and judicially managed, together.
	Statistics published annually and quarterly by Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service provide a breakdown of claims received. In recent years this breakdown has included that between single and multiple claims. The following table sets out the claims received by employment tribunals in each of the last five financial years for which data are available, including the proportion of multiples and single claims lodged. However, employment tribunals do not categorise claims as ‘private sector’ or ‘public sector’. Therefore, no statistics are collated centrally on this divide, whether in respect of multiple claims or more widely, and it is not possible to report on this aspect. While a manual search of individual case records might give some indication, such work could only be undertaken at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			 Employment tribunal receipts 
			  2005  -0  6 2006  -0  7 2007  -0  8 2008  -0  9 2009  -  10 
			  No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % 
			 Singles 51,500 44.8 54,100 40.8 54,500 28.8 62,400 41.3 71,300 30.2 
			 Multiples 63,500 55.2 78,600 59.2 134,800 71.2 88,700 58.7 164,800 69.8 
			 Total 115,000 — 132,700 — 189,300 — 151,000 — 236,100 — 
			 Source:  Tribunals Service Statistics

European Court of Human Rights

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the cost to the public purse was of cases in the European Court of Human Rights to which the UK was a party in the last 12 months.

Kenneth Clarke: The costs are not recorded centrally and can vary considerably depending on the circumstances of each case. As well as immediate expenses such as staff time, legal fees, travel etc., costs could include those associated with wider changes to policy or legislation. An accurate total costing for the ECtHR cases to which the UK was a party in the last 12 months could not be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.

European Court of Human Rights

Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice in which final judgements the European Court of Human Rights has found the UK to be in breach of an obligation under the European Convention on Human Rights since 2006; which Convention right or rights the UK was found to have breached in each relevant judgement; which provision of legislation in the UK was deemed to have breached a Convention right or rights in each relevant judgement; and what the Government's response was to each such judgement.

Kenneth Clarke: According to data published by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), there have been 83 final judgments since 2006 in which the Court found that the UK breached one or more Convention rights. The following table sets out the name of the cases and the articles of the Convention found to have been violated, as well as any damages or costs award stipulated in the judgment.
	An adverse judgment does not necessarily mean that the Court has found any legislation to be in breach of the Convention. For example, the common law or an administrative practice may be found to be in violation.
	Information on which provisions of UK legislation have been deemed to have violated one or more Convention right in each relevant judgment and the Government's response to each such judgment is not held centrally and could not be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.
	
		
			 Case  (1) Articles violated Individual measures  (2) 
			 1. Yassar Hussain A6-2 Costs and expenses 
			 2. Grant A8 Pecuniary damage and costs and expenses 
			 3. Elahi A8 Covert listening devices Costs and expenses 
			 4. Saadi A5-2 Costs and expenses 
			 5. Keegan A8, A13 Non-pecuniary damage, costs and expenses 
			 6. Wainwright A8, A13 Non-pecuniary damage, costs and expenses 
			 7. Blake A6-1 Non-pecuniary damage, costs and expenses 
			 8. Martin A6-1 Costs and expenses 
			 9. Tsfayo A6-1 Non-pecuniary damage, costs and expenses 
			 10. Hobbs, Richard, Walsh and Geen A14, A1PF Costs and expenses (for some applications) 
			 11. Bell A6-1 and 6-3 c Costs and expenses 
			 12. Young A6-1 and 6-3 c Costs and expenses 
			 13. Black A6-1 and 6-3 c Costs and expenses 
			 14. Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Fireman (ASLEF) A11 Costs and expenses 
			 15. Copland A8 Non-pecuniary damage, costs and expenses 
			 16. Runkee and White A14+P1-1 Pecuniary damage, costs and expenses 
			 17. Bhandari A6-1 Non-pecuniary damage, costs and expenses 
			 18. Cross A14+P1-1 Costs and expenses 
			 19. Gault A5-3 Non-pecuniary damage, costs and expenses 
			 20. Anderson A14+P1-1 Violation 
		
	
	
		
			 21. Woods A14+P1-1 Pecuniary damage, costs and expenses 
			 22. Fallon A14+P1-1 Pecuniary damage, costs and expenses 
			 23. Crilly A14+P1-1 Costs and expenses 
			 24. Reavey A2 Non-pecuniary damage, costs and expenses 
			 25. Brecknell A2 Non-pecuniary damage, costs and expenses 
			 26. O'Dowd A2 Non-pecuniary damage, costs and expenses 
			 27. McCartney A2 Non-pecuniary damage, costs and expenses 
			 28. McGrath A2 Non-pecuniary damage, costs and expenses 
			 29. Dickson A8 Non-pecuniary damage, costs and expenses 
			 30. Williams A14+P1-1 Violation 
			 31. Boyle A5-3 Violation 
			 32. Goodwin A14+P1-1 Violation 
			 33. Higham A14+P1-1 Violation 
			 34. Saadi A5-2 Costs and expenses 
			 35. McNamee A14+P1-1 Violation 
			 36. Bond A14+P1-1 Violation 
			 37. Cummins A14+P1-1 Violation 
			 38. Nelson A14+P1-1 Violation 
			 39. Szulc A14+P1-1 Violation 
			 40. McCann A8 Non-pecuniary damage, costs and expenses 
			 41. Twizell A14+P1-1 Pecuniary damage 
			 42. Smith A14+P1-1 Violation 
			 43. Liberty and others A8 Costs and expenses 
			 44. Wakeling A14+P1-1 Costs and expenses 
			 45. Hubley A14+P1-1 Costs and expenses 
			 46. Wells A14+P1-1 Costs and expenses 
			 47. NA A3 Costs and expenses 
			 48. O'Brien A14+P1-1 Costs and expenses 
			 49. Harrison A14+P1-1 Costs and expenses 
			 50. Thomas A14+P1-1 Pecuniary damage, costs and expenses 
			 51. Ginnifer A14+P1-1 Costs and expenses 
			 52. Jackson A14+P1-1 Costs and expenses 
			 53. RK and AK A13 Non-pecuniary damage, costs and expenses 
			 54. S and Marper A8 Costs and expenses 
			 55. Shireby A14+P1-1 Violation 
			 56. Bullen and Soneji A6-1 Violation 
			 57. Thorne A14+P1-1 Pecuniary damage, costs and expenses 
			 58. Al-Khawaja and Tahery A6-1, A6-3(d) Non-pecuniary damage, costs and expenses 
			 59. Booth A14+P1-1 Violation 
			 60. Mitchard A14+P1-1 Violation 
			 61. Murray A14+P1-1 Violation 
			 62. Turner A14+P1-1 Violation 
			 63. Twomey A14+P1-1 Violation 
			 64. A. and Others A5-1, 5-4, 5-5 Non-pecuniary damage, costs and expenses 
			 65. Blackgrove A14+P1-1 Pecuniary damage, costs and expenses 
			 66. Szuluk A8 Non-pecuniary damage, costs and expenses 
			 67. Crompton A6 Violation 
			 68. Omojudi A8 Non-pecuniary damage, costs and expenses 
			 69. Financial Times Ltd and Others A10 Costs and expenses 
			 70. Gillan and Quinton A8 Costs and expenses 
		
	
	
		
			 71. Khan AW A8 Costs and expenses 
			 72. Richard Anderson A6-1 Non-pecuniary damages, costs and expenses 
			 73. Al Saadoon and Mufdhi A3, A13, A34 Violation, costs and expenses 
			 74. AD and OD A8, A13+8 Non-pecuniary damage, costs and expenses 
			 75. MAK And RK A8, A13 Non-pecuniary damage, costs and expenses 
			 76. Allen A5-4 Non-pecuniary damage 
			 77. SH A3 (in case of expulsion) Violation (in case of expulsion) 
			 78. Clift A5+14 Non-pecuniary damage, costs and expenses 
			 19. Kay and Others A8 Pecuniary damage, costs and expenses 
			 80. JM A14+P1-1 Non-pecuniary damage, costs and expenses 
			 81. Greens and MT P1-3 Costs and expenses 
			 82. Mackay and BBC Scotland A13+10 Violation 
			 83. O'Donaghue A12, A14+12, A14+9 Non-pecuniary, pecuniary damage, costs and expenses 
			 (1) In “Deak”, proceedings were taken against Romania and the UK jointly. The judgment found Romania to have violated Article 6 but the UK was not found to have breached any Convention right. In “MGN”, the judgment is final although there has not been final agreement on the level of just satisfaction. (2) Where the judgment said that the finding of a violation constituted adequate just satisfaction and/or no damages or costs were awarded, the entry here will read as 'violation'.

European Court of Human Rights

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will estimate the cost to the public purse of complying with judgements of the European Court of Human Rights against the UK in each of the last five years.

Kenneth Clarke: Such an estimate could not be provided without disproportionate cost. Information on costs is not collected centrally. Implementation of judgments from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) is the responsibility of the Government Department responsible for the policy area concerned and costs can vary considerably depending on the circumstances of the case.

Isis Prison and Young Offender Institution

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he plans to make any changes to (a) the physical fabric and (b) staffing levels at HM Prison and Young Offenders Institution Isis as a result of the decision to increase the number of over-21 year old offenders there.

Crispin Blunt: HMP/YOI Isis was constructed to category B standard, which allows NOMS the opportunity to determine the population strategy of offenders without the need for significant investment in the fabric when such changes occur. There are no planned changes to the physical fabric of the site as it is capable of holding either young adult or category C offenders up to the age of 25, irrespective of the numbers in each category.
	There are no plans to reduce staffing levels as a result of the change to the offender profile.

Legal Aid: Lone Parents

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many single parents were in receipt of legal aid for each category of justiciable matter in the latest year for which information is available; and what proportion of all recipients this represented in each case.

Jonathan Djanogly: Neither my Department nor the Legal Services Commission holds data on whether applicants for legal aid are single parents.

Legal Aid: Young People

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the cost to the public purse of providing legal aid to persons under the age of 18 years was in the latest period for which figures are available.

Jonathan Djanogly: The Legal Services Commission (LSC) is responsible for administering the legal aid scheme in England and Wales.
	The following table outlines the total cost to the public purse of providing legal aid to persons under the age of 18 years for the financial year 2009-10.
	The LSC does not record this information in relation to the Crime Higher scheme which accounts for cases heard at the Crown court and higher criminal courts.
	
		
			  Total (£) 
			 Crime Lower 40,973,016 
			 Legal Help 13,131,688 
			 Civil Representation 133,459,162 
			 Total 187,563,865

Legal Aid: Young People

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether his Department has undertaken an impact assessment to ascertain the potential effect on children and young people of the proposed changes to legal aid.

Jonathan Djanogly: The Impact Assessments published alongside the consultation paper detailed the potential impacts of the proposals. The equalities impact assessments set out the potential impacts on people based on their sex, race and whether they are ill or disabled, however, these did not consider impacts specifically on children and young people.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he plans to reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton of 8 March 2011 with regard to Mr H. R. Chowdhury.

Kenneth Clarke: Unfortunately I have no record of having received this letter when originally sent. However, I have now been provided with a copy and will ensure the right hon. Member receives a reply as soon as possible.

Military Corrective Training Centre: Young People

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Defence on the detention of people under the age of 18 years at the Military Correction Training Centre; and if he will make a statement.

Crispin Blunt: There have been no recent discussions between the Secretary of State for Justice and the Secretary of State for Defence on the detention of people under the age of 18 years at the Military Corrective Training Centre.

Portland Young Offender Institution

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he plans to make any changes to (a) the physical fabric of and (b) staffing levels at HM Young Offenders Institution Portland as a result of the decision to begin to hold over-21 year old offenders there.

Crispin Blunt: There are no plans to make changes to the physical fabric of Portland or increase staffing levels as a result of the change to the offender profile.

Prison Accommodation

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 10 May 2011, Official Report, column 1073W, on prisons: private sector, 
	(1)  under what circumstances a prison is permitted to operate with a population in excess of its operational capacity; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  for what reasons HMP Lowdham Grange was operating with a population in excess of its operational capacity; and if he will make a statement.

Crispin Blunt: Governing governors and controllers and directors of contracted out prisons must ensure that approved operational capacity at each prison is not normally exceeded other than on an exceptional basis to accommodate pressing operational need.
	Published data on the prison population is drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.
	Centrally held records indicate that on 25 March 2011, HMP Lowdham Grange had a population of 935 against an operational capacity of 930. This included 20 prisoners who were identified as an “authorised absence”. An authorised absence from prison can be for a number of reasons, such as release to outside hospital or for release on temporary licence to assist with prisoner resettlement. Release on temporary licence requires a prisoner to be absent from prison for at least one night. These prisoners are required to return to prison after their temporary release has concluded and therefore continue to form part of the overall population for which a prison place is required.
	On further investigation Lowdham Grange has identified that 15 of the 20 prisoners recorded as an authorised absence had not had their records updated and should have been recorded as fully discharged (for example following final discharge or transfer to a mental health facility) with no expectation of return to the prison.
	Taking this in to account, on 25 March 2011 Lowdham Grange was operating within its operational capacity.

Prisoner Escorts

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prison custody officers are certified to work in each of the prison and court escort contracts operated by the National Offender Management System.

Crispin Blunt: The number of prisoner custody officers (PCO) employed by the prisoner escort contractors varies month to month due to staff changes. The following table provides details on the number of PCOs employed by each of the PECS contractors, within the last year.
	
		
			  2010 2011 
			  May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr 
			 G4S North 870 876 874 865 853 847 842 838 838 833 830 829 
			 G4S East 929 923 911 903 894 886 883 873 873 868 863 860 
			 Serco 1,249 1,239 1,230 1,223 1,225 1,218 1,213 1,204 1,197 1,209 1,202 1,197 
			 Reliance 1,035 1,030 1,021 1,015 1,002 998 1,025 1,018 1,015 1,010 1,007 996 
			 G4S IPT(1) 179 179 176 174 171 167 167 166 166 162 162 158 
			 (1) IPT = Inter prison transfers—a national contract held by G4S for the transfer of prisoners between prisons.

Prisons: Security

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 16 May 2011, Official Report, columns 48-52W, on prisons: security, what the nature of each security breach in each prison was in each of the last five years.

Crispin Blunt: Security breaches are defined as any incident involving visitors or outsiders where the security or control of the establishment has been breached, or there has been an attempt to do so. To provide details of the nature of each security breach would involve locating, examining and summarising each of the 249 incident reports which could be done only at disproportionate cost.
	Typically, though, incidents may involve unauthorised access to the prison by members of the public, such as authorised visitors attempting to gain access to non-authorised areas of the prison or intruders found in, or attempting to enter, the prison grounds. Some incidents may be connected with attempts to bring unauthorised articles into the prison, or damage to the physical security of the prison perimeter or other acts of vandalism.

Prisons: Television

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much each prison establishment received from prisoners in respect of payments for in-cell televisions in each of the last five years.

Crispin Blunt: In-cell television is available across the prison estate as a key earnable privilege under local Incentive and Earned Privileges schemes. Eligible prisoners are able to rent televisions from the Prison Service for a weekly rental charge of £1 per set, per week or part week. The revenue raised is spent centrally to purchase new or replacement televisions and to fund the switchover of the prison estate from analogue to digital TV following the decision to end analogue broadcasts in 2012.
	The following table provides payments from prisoners for in-cell televisions for each prison establishments in each of the last five years:
	
		
			 Receipts from prisoners from the in-cell TV pr  ogramme,   2006-11 
			 £000 
			 Establishment name 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 
			 Isle of Wight Cluster 43 50 52 51 50 
			 Grendon and Springhill 14 13 14 14 17 
			 Isle of Sheppey Clustered Services 52 57 61 64 83 
			 Hewell Cluster 29 21 25 27 24 
			 Acklington 31 33 36 37 33 
			 Ashwell 23 22 22 7 5 
			 Askham Grange 2 2 2 2 2 
			 Aylesbury 19 16 14 15 14 
			 Bedford 10 12 11 11 10 
			 Belmarsh 22 21 20 19 18 
			 Birmingham 30 31 28 21 30 
			 Blantyre House 5 5 5 5 5 
			 Blundeston 14 14 14 17 16 
			 Brinsford 13 13 17 16 15 
			 Bristol 12 11 11 10 12 
			 Brixton 19 16 19 19 16 
			 Buckley Hall 14 15 14 15 15 
			 Bullingdon 20 20 21 23 23 
			 Bullwood Hall 6 8 7 7 5 
			 Bure — — — 3 23 
			 Canterbury 6 6 7 7 7 
			 Cardiff 18 18 19 20 16 
			 Castington 15 15 14 15 8 
			 Channings Wood 24 25 22 21 19 
			 Chelmsford — 28 29 26 14 
			 Coldingley 13 11 16 19 20 
			 Cookham Wood 5 2 2 3 4 
			 Dartmoor 25 26 26 27 18 
			 Deerbolt 16 17 19 21 21 
			 Dorchester 5 4 4 4 4 
			 Downview 12 9 11 12 11 
			 Drake Hall 9 10 9 10 9 
			 Durham 16 16 14 15 16 
			 Eastwood Park 10 10 10 9 11 
			 Edmunds Hill 10 11 11 12 17 
			 Erlestoke 17 17 18 18 16 
			 Everthorpe 25 26 25 26 25 
			 Exeter 10 8 9 10 11 
			 Featherstone 22 25 25 21 6 
			 Feltham 20 20 20 25 13 
		
	
	
		
			 Ford 12 11 8 15 15 
			 Foston Hall 8 9 9 8 8 
			 Frankland 24 29 25 25 26 
			 Full Sutton 23 23 23 23 23 
			 Garth 22 24 30 30 31 
			 Gartree 22 23 24 25 29 
			 Glen Parva 15 15 15 15 16 
			 Gloucester 7 7 8 8 7 
			 Guys Marsh 20 20 20 21 17 
			 Haverigg 22 22 24 25 24 
			 Highdown 14 15 20 20 24 
			 Highpoint 26 19 17 20 22 
			 Hindley 16 19 18 12 12 
			 Hollesley Bay 10 10 13 14 14 
			 Holloway 7 5 5 7 12 
			 Holme House 22 23 24 25 28 
			 Hull 26 24 27 26 24 
			 Huntercombe 14 14 13 10 6 
			 Isis — — — — 4 
			 Kennet — 4 7 7 7 
			 Kingston 7 6 6 6 8 
			 Kirkham 20 23 25 25 25 
			 Kirklevington Grange 9 9 11 9 11 
			 Lancaster Castle 3 3 4 4 4 
			 Lancaster Farms 21 20 16 17 18 
			 Latchmere House 4 2 — — 4 
			 Leeds 24 21 21 24 25 
			 Leicester 6 7 7 6 5 
			 Lewes 11 10 16 14 7 
			 Leyhill 17 14 20 16 23 
			 Lincoln 10 14 13 14 12 
			 Lindholme 31 29 44 33 37 
			 Littlehey 20 21 19 16 17 
			 Liverpool 32 32 39 30 32 
			 Long Lartin 16 16 17 24 25 
			 Low Newton 11 12 13 11 9 
			 Maidstone 24 21 18 21 18 
			 Manchester 23 22 22 21 24 
			 Moorland 33 32 31 33 30 
			 Morton Hall 14 15 13 15 11 
			 Mount (The) 27 31 32 32 30 
			 New Hall 11 14 13 14 13 
			 North Sea Camp 6 6 6 6 5 
			 Northallerton 5 5 5 5 4 
			 Norwich 19 16 16 19 23 
			 Nottingham 9 11 11 12 23 
			 Onley 23 24 25 27 26 
			 Pentonville 10 14 19 20 22 
			 Portland 14 17 20 19 17 
			 Preston 13 14 15 17 19 
			 Ranby 45 39 40 40 37 
			 Reading 6 5 5 4 4 
			 Risley 38 39 42 39 41 
			 Rochester 15 14 16 22 22 
			 Send 8 9 11 12 11 
			 Shepton Mallet 6 7 7 11 11 
			 Shrewsbury 9 8 7 7 6 
			 Stafford 19 19 20 20 18 
			 Stocken 24 26 30 30 32 
			 Stoke Heath 20 19 18 15 11 
			 Styal 6 9 9 9 6 
			 Sudbury 14 13 14 15 14 
		
	
	
		
			 Swansea 8 8 8 8 8 
			 Swinfen Hall 25 26 25 25 23 
			 Thorn Cross 8 7 8 10 7 
			 Usk 12 11 12 12 11 
			 Verne (The) 18 19 19 20 18 
			 Wakefield 30 28 30 30 29 
			 Wandsworth 19 26 27 32 29 
			 Warren Hill 13 12 7 6 5 
			 Wayland 25 26 29 29 30 
			 Wealstun 27 24 20 19 25 
			 Wellingborough 23 25 25 24 21 
			 Werrington 7 7 6 6 3 
			 Wetherby 14 13 13 14 14 
			 Whatton 15 18 24 25 26 
			 Whitemoor 16 16 16 16 15 
			 Winchester 7 15 23 18 19 
			 Woodhill 11 13 13 17 17 
			 Wormwood Scrubs 6 17 21 24 32 
			 Wymott 36 37 38 38 45 
			 Notes:  1. Figures for 2010-11 are provisional as the accounts have not been audited and may be subject to changes.  2. Private run prisons are not included.  3. These figures have been drawn to the nearest £000 from account code entries in our central accounting systems. As with any large scale recording system, it is possible that errors in data entry and processing may have been made at account code level.  4. Financial payment data for Elmley, Standford Hill and Swaleside are reported under the Isle of Sheppey Cluster. Similarly, data for Parkhurst, Camphill and Albany are reported under the Isle of Wight cluster.  5. Hewell cluster (June 2008) includes Brockhill, Hewell Grange and Blakenhurst.  6. HMP Bure and HMP and YOI Isis are new prisons.  7. Latchmere House—prior to 2010-11, when in-cell electricity was introduced, Latchmere had a battery operated system. For the years 2008-09 and 2009-10, no income was collected as the system did not support the full use of TVs.  8. Receipts for TV in-cells may vary during the periods shown for various reasons including: not all cells having electricity points; additional accommodation cells brought into use; charging mechanisms for double occupancy cells.

Prosecutions: Landlords

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many prosecutions there were of landlords for an offence under the Housing Act 2004 in (a) 2008, (b) 2009, (c) 2010 and (d) the latest period for which figures are available;
	(2)  how many prosecutions there were of landlords for an offence under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 in (a) 2008, (b) 2009, (c) 2010 and (d) the latest period for which figures are available.

Crispin Blunt: The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts in England and Wales for offences under the Housing Act 2004 and the Protection from Eviction Act 1977, from 2008 to 2010 (latest available) can be viewed in the following table.
	The Ministry of Justice Court Proceedings Database contains information on defendants proceeded against, found guilty and sentenced for criminal offences in England and Wales. Other than where specified in a statute statistical information available centrally does not include the circumstances of each case. It is not possible to separately identify those specific cases where the defendant was the landlord.
	
		
			 Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts for offences under the Housing Act 2004 and the Protection from Eviction Act 1977, England and Wales, 2008-10  (1, 2) 
			 Number proceeded against 
			 Statute 2008  (3) 2009 2010 
			 Housing Act 2004 193 234 355 
			 Protection from Eviction Act 1977 34 49 37 
			 (1) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3) Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice.

Rape

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many persons convicted of offences of rape were released from custodial sentences before the end of the sentence handed down in each of the last 10 years.

Crispin Blunt: The following table shows the number of prisoners serving determinate sentences for rape who were released from prison in each of the last 10 years. They were all released from custody before the end of their sentence as all offenders serving a determinate sentence serve part of their sentence in custody and part on licence in the community.
	If the sentence was imposed under the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (for offences committed on or after 4 April 2005) the first half of the sentence is served in custody and the second half is served on release on licence in the community.
	If the sentence was imposed under the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 and is four years or longer, release is determined on the basis of risk by the Parole Board between the halfway and two-thirds point of the sentence. The offender is on licence from the point at which he is released until the three-quarter point of sentence and then at risk for the final quarter. If a 1991 Act sentence is less than four years, the offender will be released at the half way point, on licence to three quarter point and then at risk for the final quarter.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.
	
		
			 Determinate discharges for offences of rape in England and Wales, 2001-10 
			  Number 
			 2001 490 
			 2002 532 
			 2003 517 
			 2004 553 
			 2005 572 
			 2006 515 
			 2007 609 
		
	
	
		
			 2008 656 
			 2009 623 
			 2010 763 
			 Note:  These figures have been drawn from administrative systems which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Rape: Convictions

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what proportion of rape cases ended in a conviction in the latest period for which figures are available.

Crispin Blunt: The proportion of findings of guilt based on the number of proceedings for offences of rape in 2009 (latest available) was 36%. This is based on 997 findings of guilt from 2,796 defendants proceeded against for rape of a male or rape of a female.
	Court proceedings data for 2010 are planned for publication on 26 May.

Rape: Convictions

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many 
	(1)  convictions there were for offences of rape in each of the last 10 years; and in how many such cases the defendant was (a) found guilty by a jury, (b) pleaded guilty during the trial and(c)pleaded guilty upon being charged;
	(2)  persons convicted of offences of rape in each of the last 10 years were sentenced to (a) non-custodial sentences and (b) custodial sentences of (i) less than one year, (ii) between one and two years, (iii) between two and three years, (iv) between three and four years, (v) between four and five years, (vi) between five and six years, (vii) between six and seven years, (viii) between seven and eight years, (ix) between eight and nine years, (x) between nine and 10 years, (xi) between 10 and 11 years, (xii) between 11 and 12 years, (xiii) between 12 and 15 years, (xiv) between 15 and 20 years and (xv) over 20 years.

Crispin Blunt: Table 1 shows the number of defendants found guilty at the Crown court of rape, by type of plea, England and Wales, 2000 to 2010 (latest available). It is not possible to identify at which stage of criminal proceedings the defendant pleaded guilty.
	Table 2 shows the number of defendants found guilty at all courts, sentenced to immediate custody, sentence length break down and the average custodial sentence length for offences of rape, England and Wales, 2000 to 2010 (latest available).
	
		
			 Table 1: Number of defendants found guilty at the crown court and by plea for rape offences, England and Wales, 2000  -  10  (1, 2, 3, 4) 
			  2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 
			 Total found guilty 593 569 651 671 748 787 854 860 913 984 1,037 
			 Total sentenced 596 571 655 673 751 795 863 872 919 999 1,058 
			 Defendants pleading guilty 215 214 258 259 310 361 395 387 406 445 466 
			 Defendants pleading not guilty and found guilty) 378 356 393 412 438 426 459 475 507 541 571 
			 Plea not recorded and found guilty 3 1 4 2 3 8 9 10 6 13 21 
			 (1 )The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (2 )Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3 )Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008. (4 )The sentenced column may exceed those found guilty as it may be the case that a defendant found guilty, and committed for sentence at the Crown court, may be sentenced in the following year. Source:  Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice. 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 2: Defendants found guilty at all courts, sentence length break down and the average custodial sentence length for offences of rape, England and Wales, 2000  -  10 
			  Total found guilty Total sentenced  (4) Other non-custodial sentences Total Immediate custody Up to 1 year 1 year up to 2 years 2 years up to 3 years 3 years up to 4 years 4 years up to 5 years 5 years up to 6 years 
			 2000 598 596 23 573 4 1 15 33 53 67 
			 2001 572 571 19 552 9 9 10 34 48 65 
			 2002 655 655 23 632 8 10 10 30 60 76 
			 2003 673 673 19 654 3 3 19 29 56 83 
			 2004 751 751 32 719 11 6 19 49 63 82 
			 2005 796 795 48 747 8 17 20 49 55 102 
			 2006 863 863 59 804 6 13 20 45 56 96 
			 2007 873 872 51 821 2 14 23 39 50 85 
			 2008(3) 922 919 54 865 3 8 27 36 76 82 
			 2009 997 999 58 941 4 6 23 38 70 107 
			 2010 1058 1058 74 984 1 4 24 60 73 86 
		
	
	
		
			  6 years up to 7 years 7 years up to 8 years 8 years up to 9 years 9 years up to 10 years 10 years up to 11 years 11 years up to 12 years 12 years up to 15 years 15 years up to 20 years Over 20 years Indeterminate public protection sentence Average custodial sentence length (months)  (5) 
			 2000 78 73 65 35 57 8 28 6 50 — 83.2 
			 2001 78 68 48 39 39 6 31 8 60 — 81.1 
			 2002 94 76 57 42 66 9 42 4 48 — 83.7 
			 2003 85 70 94 46 54 11 36 12 53 — 86.4 
			 2004 78 68 103 44 63 10 44 16 63 — 84.4 
			 2005 84 66 105 42 60 14 43 8 59 15 81.7 
			 2006 77 70 78 37 49 12 27 15 72 131 81.1 
			 2007 88 68 81 38 41 14 36 25 46 171 85.4 
			 2008(3) 72 70 70 47 55 20 69 31 35 164 90.3 
			 2009 82 69 83 46 56 26 87 61 20 163 95.7 
			 2010 89 51 99 55 62 19 102 61 18 180 97.2 
			 (1 )The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3) Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008. (4) The sentenced column may exceed those found guilty as it may be the case that a defendant found guilty, and committed for sentence at the Crown court, may be sentenced in the following year. (5 )Average custodial sentence excludes life and indeterminate sentences. Note: Information drawn from court systems may be different from the information recorded on the Police National Computer Source:  Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice.

Rape: Sentencing

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average length of a prison sentence served for convicted rapists who entered a guilty plea was in the latest period for which figures are available.

Crispin Blunt: In 2009 the average determinate custodial sentence length for offenders convicted of rape was 83 months for those who entered a guilty plea at the Crown court and 105 months for those who entered a not guilty plea at the Crown court.
	If the sentence was imposed under the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (for offences committed on or after 4 April 2005) the first half of the sentence is served in custody and the second half is served on release on licence in the community.
	If the sentence was imposed under the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 and is four years or longer, release is determined on the basis of risk by the Parole Board between the halfway and two-thirds point of the sentence. The offender is on licence from the point at which he is released until the three quarter point of sentence and then at risk for the final quarter. If a 1991 Act sentence is less than four years, the offender will be released at the half way point, on licence to three quarter point and then at risk for the final quarter.

Recall to Custody

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many individuals in England and Wales released from custody on licence following (a) a determinate sentence and (b) a life sentence and subsequently recalled following a breach are not currently in custody.

Crispin Blunt: As of 31 March 2011, there were 954 offenders released on licence subsequently recalled and not returned to custody. 930 of these offenders were originally sentenced to determinate sentences and 24 were sentenced to indeterminate sentences. Indeterminate sentences include mandatory, discretionary and automatic life sentences, as well as HMP, IPP and DPP sentences.
	Statistics on licence recalls and returns to custody are published quarterly in the Offender Management Statistics quarterly bulletin on the Ministry of Justice website:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/prisons-and-probation/oms-quartlery.htm
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Recall to Custody

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many warrants for recall to custody were issued in England and Wales in 2010 in respect of persons originally given (a) a life sentence and (b) a determinate sentence.

Crispin Blunt: During 2010, 15,424 offenders were released on licence and subsequently recalled to custody. 15,299 of these offenders were originally given determinate sentences and 125 were given indeterminate sentences. Indeterminate sentences include mandatory, discretionary and automatic life sentences, as well as HMP, IPP and DPP sentences.
	Statistics on licence recalls and returns to custody are published quarterly in the Offender Management Statistics quarterly bulletin on the Ministry of Justice website:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/prisons-and-probation/oms-quartlery.htm
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Reoffenders

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many persons convicted of an offence of rape in each of the last five years committed after release from prison (a) another offence of rape, (b) another sexual offence, (c) another violent offence and (d) any other offence (i) within one month, (ii) between one and two months, (iii) between two and three months, (iv) between three and six months, (v) between six and nine months, (vi) between nine and 12 months, (vii) between 12 and 18 months, (viii) between 18 and 24 months, (ix) between two and three years, (x) between three and four years and (xi) between four and five years of (A) release from prison, (B) the end of any prison release conditions and (C) the end of the sentence originally handed down.

Crispin Blunt: The following table provides information on the number of adult offenders released from prison in the first quarter of each year after serving a sentence for rape, who went on to commit a re-offence(1) in the following 12 months by re-offence type and time to re-offence.
	The latest reconviction data provided are based on offences committed within one year of an offender being released from prison. Therefore data regarding offences committed after the 12-month period cannot be provided.
	The original sentence handed down and data regarding release conditions are not held in the re-convictions dataset therefore these data cannot be provided.
	For more detail on how reoffending is measured please see the Ministry of Justice website:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/reoffendingofadults.htm
	
		
			 Number of offenders discharged from prison following a conviction for rape in the 1st quarter of the last five years, who went on to be convicted of a re-offence  (1)  , b  y re-offence type and time to re-offence 
			    Time to re-offence  —  from release from prison to re-offence date 
			 Re-offence type Cohort year Distinct number of offenders  (2) 0 to   1 month More than 1 month to 2 months More than 2 months to 3 months More than 3 months to 6 months More than 6 months to 9 months More than 9 months to 12 months 
			 Rape Q1 2005 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			  Q1 2006 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			  Q1 2007 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			  Q1 2008 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			  Q1 2009 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			          
			 Sexual(3) Q1 2005 4 1 0 0 0 2 1 
			  Q1 2006 4 1 0 0 1 1 1 
			  Q1 2007 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 
			  Q1 2008 3 0 0 0 0 2 1 
			  Q1 2009 4 1 0 0 2 0 1 
			          
			 Violence Q1 2005 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 
			  Q1 2006 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 
			  Q1 2007 4 0 0 0 2 1 2 
			  Q1 2008 3 0 0 0 0 1 3 
			  Q1 2009 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 
			          
			 Other re-offences (excluding rape, sexual and violence) Q1 2005 8 1 2 0 3 4 1 
			  Q1 2006 7 0 1 1 2 0 4 
			  Q1 2007 7 1 1 0 3 2 3 
			  Q1 2008 9 0 1 0 3 2 3 
			  Q1 2009 7 0 1 0 3 1 3 
			 (1) A re-offence is defined here as an offender being convicted at court for an offence committed within a 12-month follow-up period and is convicted either within the follow up period or a further six-month waiting period. (2) Rows may not sum to the distinct number of offenders as an offender may commit more than one offence. (3) Includes sexual (including rape) and sexual (child) offences.

Sentencing

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice on how many occasions a sentence (a) at and (b) below the minimum tariff for an offence was handed down in (i) the Crown court and (ii) magistrates courts in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and what proportion of sentences given in each type of court each figure represents.

Crispin Blunt: The only minimum sentences provided for in the sentencing framework are seven years for a third Class A drug trafficking offence under section 111 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000, three years for a third time domestic burglary under section 111 of the 2000 Act, and five years for unauthorised possession of certain firearms (three years if the offender is aged under 18) and the Criminal Justice Act 2003, unless the courts find exceptional circumstances or that it would be unjust to impose the sentence in an individual case. In addition, there is the mandatory life sentence for murder under the Offences Against the Persons Act 1861.
	For information please see the following tables from Sentencing Statistics 2009, supplementary tables 2b and 2c.
	
		
			 Table 2b:   Persons sentenced under the Powers of Criminal Cou  rts (Sentencing) Act 2000, 2000-0  9  ,   England and Wales 
			 Number of persons 
			  Section 109 Section 110 Section 111 
			  Life for second serious offence Minimum 7 years for third class A drug trafficking offence Minimum 3 years for third domestic burglary 
			 2000 57 2 — 
		
	
	
		
			 2001 51 1 6 
			 2002 44 — 2 
			 2003 48 3 13 
			 2004 47 4 46 
			 2005 (1)43 3 89 
			 2006 (1)16 7 229 
			 2007 (1)5 11 398 
			 2008 (1)2 25 520 
			 2009 (1)2 33 639 
			 (1 )Section 109 was replaced on 4 April 2005 by sentences of imprisonment for public protection. Figures therefore relate to offences committed prior to that date. 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 2c : Persons sentenced for firearms offences liable for mandatory minimum custodial sentence as prescribed by the Criminal Justice Act 2003  (1)  , 2003  -  09  ,   England and Wales 
			 Number of persons 
			 Age of offender  (2)  2003 (2)  2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 
			 16 to 17-year-olds Total sentenced 52 49 32 15 15 20 19 
			  Total immediate custody 8 10 9 8 5 18 18 
			  Received mandatory minimum —at least 3 years(3) — 5 4 5 1 13 13 
			  % of offenders sentenced receiving mandatory minimum — 10.2 12.5 33.3 6.7 65.0 68.4 
			  ACSL(6) 11.0 25.0 26.0 29.8 22.4 35.8 32.2 
			          
			 18 years and above Total sentenced 834 688 353 265 249 340 360 
			  Total immediate custody 206 241 233 204 203 288 298 
			  Received mandatory minimum—at least 5 years(4) 34 76 142 136 141 220 208 
			  % of offenders sentenced receiving mandatory minimum (5)4.1 11.0 40.2 51.3 56.6 64.7 57.8 
			  ACSL(6) 28.1 35.9 48.1 52.4 54.1 57.1 55.8 
			 (1) Offences under Firearms Act 1968 of: Possessing or distributing prohibited weapons or ammunition, or Possessing or distributing firearm disguised as other object. (2) The mandatory is only applicable for offences that occurred on or after 26 January 2004. (3) Mandatory minimum for persons aged 16 or 17 at time of offence and for offences taking place after 26 January 2004 is three years. Not all of those in this age bracket would have been eligible for the mandatory minimum as they may have been under 16 at the time of the offence; it is the age at the point of sentence that is recorded on courts proceedings database. (4) Mandatory minimum for persons aged over 18 at time of offence and for offences taking place after 26 January 2004 is five years. Not all of those in this age bracket would have been eligible for the mandatory minimum as they may have been under 18 at the time of the offence; it is the age at the point of sentence that is recorded on courts proceedings database. (5) The mandatory minimum did not apply to anyone sentenced in 2003, these figures have been supplied for comparative purposes only. (6) Average custodial sentence length excludes life/indeterminate sentences.

Social Security Benefits: Appeals

Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average time taken was from submission of an appeal against a failed (a) employment and support allowance and (b) disability living allowance claim to its decision in the latest period for which figures are available.

Jonathan Djanogly: The following table shows the average time taken from submission of an appeal to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) until a decision is issued by Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) for employment and support allowance and disability living allowance appeals.
	The information covers 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011, the latest period for which figures are available.
	
		
			 Average waiting times for employment support allowance and disability living allowance appeals, 2010-11 
			  Average time in weeks from: 
			  Submission to DWP to receipt at HMCTS  (1) Receipt at HMCTS to issue of decision 
			 Employment support allowance 7.99 19.38 
			 Disability living allowance 7.37 24.43 
			 (1) The data regarding the time from when an appeal is submitted to the DWP until it is received by HMCTS is taken from HMCTS database and relies on the date of submission provided by DWP. 
		
	
	The Tribunals Service’s target in 2010-11 was to issue a final decision for 75% of social security and child support (SSCS) appeals within 16 weeks of receipt from the DWP. Performance below target has resulted from an unexpectedly high level of appeals. In response, the Tribunals Service (and now HMCTS) has significantly increased its capacity and, nationally, 36% more SSCS appeals were cleared in 2010-11 compared to 2009-10. Further capacity increases are in hand.

Youth Custody

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of recent trends in the number of 18 to 20 year-olds in custody;
	(2)  what his policy is on placing young adult offenders in custody within the secure prison estate;
	(3)  pursuant to his answer of 14 February 2011, Official Report, column 589W, on young offenders, what the (a) capacity and (b) occupancy rate was of each young offender institution holding 18 to 20 year old offenders in each month of the last three years;
	(4)  what proportion of young adult offenders in custody have been held in designated youth offender institutions in each month of each year since 2005.

Crispin Blunt: Table 1 shows the number of 18 to 20-year-olds in custody each month since January 2008. The trend has been of a steady decline since August 2009.
	Young adults sentenced to detention in a young offender institution are detained in young offender institutions (YOIs) as required by section 98 of the Powers of the Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000. These are normally self contained but in some instances are situated within an adult prison with which they share the majority of their facilities. Whatever the location, young adults detained in YOIs have separate sleeping accommodation and are always managed in accordance with the YOI rules.
	We are committed to retaining specific provision within the secure estate for young adult offenders. Our “Breaking the Cycle” Green Paper sets out a broad reform agenda to drive improved results for all offenders in the secure estate, including young adults.
	Table 2 shows the population, operational capacity and occupancy rate of establishments whose predominant function was a Young Offender Institution (excluding those YOIs where places are commissioned exclusively by the Youth Justice Board) in England and Wales on the last day in each month in each of the past three years.
	In reference to the answer I provided to question 39586 on 14 February 2011, Official Report, column 590W, it has come to light that the population and operational capacity figures were incorrect in that they did not include data for YOI Hindley for June 2008 and that the data used related to the last Friday of the June, rather than, as stated, the last day of the month. This has been amended and the correct information is set out in Table 3.
	Between 2005 and the present, all young adult offenders sentenced to detention in a young offender institution have been detained in designated young offender institutions (YOIs), as required by section 98 of the Powers of the Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000.
	Tables 1, 2 and 3 have been placed in the Library.

Youth Custody

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average cost of the young offender institution estate per young offender has been in each year since 2005.

Crispin Blunt: The average cost of keeping a person in a young offender institution (YOI) for the year 2005-06 to 2009-10 is detailed in the following table.
	
		
			 All YOIs, age 15 to 21, average 
			 £ 
			  Direct establishment cost per prisoner Overall cost per prisoner 
			 2009-10 36,928 53,198 
			 2008-09 36,532 52,783 
			 2007-08 34,896 49,419 
			 2006-07 33,406 — 
			 2005-06 35,865 — 
		
	
	Figures for 2010-11 are not yet available as the accounts on which these are calculated have not yet been audited.
	For the year 2007-08 to 2009-10, the data includes private and public sector prisons, for prior years, 2006-07 and 2005-06, the data is for only public sector prisons.
	The direct establishment cost includes expenditure met locally at each establishment, as published in the annual report and accounts of Her Majesty’s Prison Service or for 2008-09 and 2009-10 in an addendum to the NOMS Agency annual report and accounts.
	In addition, an overall cost also including expenditure met at regional and national level, is shown for the year 2007-08 to 2009-10.
	The overall average cost comprises the direct local establishment costs of public and private prisons, increased by an apportionment of relevant costs borne centrally and in the regions by NOMS. This involves some estimation. The figures do not include the cost of prisoners held in police or court cells under Operation Safeguard, or expenditure met by other Government Departments (e.g. Health and Education). Prisoner escort service costs are included. Expenditure recharged to the Youth Justice Board in respect of young people is included. Any expenditure met directly by the Youth Justice Board is not included.
	The costs represent the cost per prisoner at each establishment where the majority use at the end of each year was a YOI. There is no adjustment for prisons holding prisoners of more than one category. The costs cover YOI establishments for age 15 to 21 years.
	Due to changes in scope and accounting treatment over this period, the figures are not necessarily directly comparable. Figures are subject to rounding.

TRANSPORT

Airlines

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment he has made of the effects of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme on the competitiveness of airlines.

Theresa Villiers: The impact assessments of The Aviation Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2011, The Aviation Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Regulations 2010 and The Aviation Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Regulations 2009 include assessments of the impact of these regulations on competition between aircraft operators.
	These documents are available on the internet at the following addresses and are available in the Libraries of the House.
	http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/765/pdfs/uksiem_20110765_en.pdf
	http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/1996/pdfs/uksiem_20101996_en.pdf
	http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009/2301/pdfs/uksiem_20092301_en.pdf

Aviation: Air Pollution

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department has taken to mitigate the local environmental effects of aviation; and what assessment he has made of the environmental effects of aviation on communities in the Midlands.

Theresa Villiers: holding answer 17 May 2011
	The local environmental impact of aircraft operations is a key priority for Government. That is why we have cancelled plans for a third runway at Heathrow and will not support proposals for additional runways at Gatwick and Stansted.
	Aviation must be able to grow to support the future prosperity of the UK but this has to be within the context of delivering environmental goals and protecting the quality of life of local communities. We are therefore currently consulting on principles that might underpin a sustainable framework for aviation. This consultation, which has a particular focus on the local environmental impacts, provides a key opportunity for all those affected by these impacts to contribute to the debate and offer views on the future direction of policy.
	Outside Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports where statutory noise control measures apply, airports (including those situated in the Midlands) have been encouraged to engage constructively with local communities through Joint Consultative Committees in developing and implementing noise control measures, appropriate to local circumstances which can vary considerably from airport to airport. Over 51 airports are statutorily required to provide consultative facilities. The Government have issued guidance to assist airports and Joint Consultative Committees in developing effective local consultation.
	Birmingham and East Midlands airports, in common with other major airports in England, have been required to produce strategic Noise Action Plans for consideration for formal adoption under the European Environmental Noise Directive. These plans are currently being reviewed and a decision on formal adoption will be made shortly.

Aviation: Russia

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress he has made on his Department's response to the European Commission ruling that the UK must amend its bilateral air service agreements with Russia; and if he will make a statement.

Theresa Villiers: The European Commission wrote to the UK Government in January, expressing the view that the UK's international air services agreements with the Russian Federation were inconsistent with its obligations under the treaties governing the European Union. The Commission invited the Government to submit its views in accordance with Article 258 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
	The Government responded to the Commission in March pointing out certain misunderstandings in the Commission's assertions. In particular it was pointed out that there is no restriction on which airlines may be designated by the UK to operate under the agreement, whether on grounds of nationality or otherwise. The Government also questioned other assertions in the Commission's letter and concluded that the UK has satisfied its obligations under European law.
	While acknowledging the desirability of modernising the current air services arrangements with Russia, the Government did not consider that the revocation of the bilateral Air Services Agreement would be a proportionate response.

Aviation: Security

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made on his proposals to reform aviation security regulation.

Theresa Villiers: Officials have developed initial proposals for an outcome focused risk based approach to aviation security regulation. As set out in the updated Department for Transport Business Plan, published on 13 May, we have launched a pre-consultation call for evidence with industry stakeholders and will begin formal consultation on the proposals in September.

Aviation: Snow and Ice

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  whether his Department plans to issue guidance to airport operators on the effects on the environment of extended use of de-icing products in periods of severe weather;
	(2)  whether he has assessed the effects on the environment of extended use of de-icing products on airport runways during severe weather since December 2010.

Theresa Villiers: Airport operators must comply with all relevant environmental regulations in respect of the use, interception and appropriate disposal of the different types of chemical de-icer products used on airport ground surfaces. Environmental regulations are put in place by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and enforced by the Environment Agency.

Aviation: Snow and Ice

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has assessed the feasibility of producing airline performance information during severe weather conditions as recommended in the Independent Review of Winter Resilience; and whether he has discussed such a proposal with the Civil Aviation Authority.

Theresa Villiers: The Civil Aviation Authority has undertaken market research to identify the information air passengers find most valuable. This covers a range of service quality measures, including airline punctuality. It will publish the results in the summer.

Biofuels

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport from which organisations his Department has received representations on its bioenergy strategy since May 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Norman Baker: holding answer 17 May 2011
	Department for Transport Ministers meet regularly with key UK and European organisations where they discuss a range of transport issues including Government policy on the strategic use of biofuels. The Secretary of State and I have met with ExxonMobil, Shell, Greenergy, The Renewable Energy Association, British Sugar, Neste Oil, The Carbon Trust, The National Non Food Crops Centre, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Greenpeace, World Wide Fund for Nature, the Canadian high commission, ministerial colleagues in other Departments, other European countries, and Members of the European Parliament.
	The Department is currently consulting on proposals to amend the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation. The consultation period will run until 2 June 2011. Consultation documents can be found on the Department for Transport website.

Convention on International Civil Aviation

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on reform of the Chicago Convention on Civil Aviation of 1947; and what recent discussions he has had on any such reform.

Theresa Villiers: The UK believes that there is value in exploring how the Chicago convention could be reformed. The UK has, in the past, supported moves to amend the Chicago convention. However the 2007 ICAO Assembly and subsequent meetings of the ICAO Council decided not to initiate any action on this issue.
	Since there is currently no international consensus on reforming the Chicago convention, the UK will continue to work through ICAO to achieve our objectives in alternative ways. In this regard, the UK has participated in ICAO meetings to ensure we influence discussions on a wide range of policies affecting international civil aviation.

Departmental Billing

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many invoices his Department received in respect of goods or services supplied by tier 1 suppliers between 1 May 2010 and 1 April 2011; and how many of those invoices were not paid within the period of time specified in the Government's Fair Payment guidance.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport does not keep separate records for payment performance to construction industry suppliers, and the cost of preparing such information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Billing

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what mechanism his Department has established to ensure its payments are passed through the supply chain to each Tier in accordance with the last date for payment defined in the Government's Fair Payment guidance.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport ensures that its contracts include a clause requiring its suppliers to pay promptly any sub-contractors they employ. Furthermore, any sub-contractors who are not being paid within the 30 day period may raise their concern with the Department by sending an email to:
	DfTprocurementpolicy@dft.gsi.gov.uk
	providing the title and reference number of the contract and the nature of their complaint. Should this not be resolved to the supplier's satisfaction, this can be escalated to the Office of Government Commerce Supplier Feedback Service.

Departmental Buildings

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the (a) name and (b) address is of each building owned by his Department; and what the estimated monetary value is of each such building.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport is a federated organisation comprising DFT (Central), the headquarters functions responsible mainly for policy issues, and seven executive agencies responsible for the delivery of various services.
	The estate comprises over 1,000 freehold and leasehold buildings and includes offices, hangars, driving test centres, depots, vehicle weighbridges and coastguard rescue stations.
	Information on buildings, including valuations, is not centrally recorded. Producing the information requested for such a diverse estate could be achieved only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental CCTV

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many CCTV cameras are installed in and around his Department's premises; and how much such cameras (a) cost to install and (b) cost to operate in the latest period for which figures are available.

Norman Baker: I regret that the requested information is not centrally recorded and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Redundancy

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria were used to determine whether Department for Transport Central staff in pay bands 6 and 7 would be made surplus; what the cut-off score below which staff were deemed surplus was; and if he will make a statement.

Norman Baker: As part of the re-structuring of the Department all staff were required to complete a self assessment form. The criteria used for assessment were competencies, performance and professional expertise. Staff were considered for all posts in the new structure and were only displaced if the moderation panel assessment determined that they were not suitable for the available roles. The assessment of individuals was a relative assessment based on the criteria and the requirements of the available roles rather than a fixed ‘cut off point’.

Departmental Redundancy

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many compulsory redundancy notices have been issued to Department for Transport Central (DfT(C)) staff since May 2010; how many such notices he expects to be issued to DfT(C) staff in each year to April 2015; and what steps he is taking to avoid compulsory redundancies among staff in his Department.

Norman Baker: Department for Transport Central (DfT(c)) has not issued any compulsory redundancy notices since May 2010 and the Department is working to avoid compulsory redundancies.
	DfT(c) has established a redeployment and career advice centre for staff who have been unsuccessful in obtaining a position in the restructured Department. This centre is looking to assist staff in finding suitable alternative work and to give information in order that they can understand potential job and career options. In addition, staff who have been unsuccessful in securing a position are able to apply to leave the Department under a voluntary exit scheme.

Departmental Redundancy

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many posts there were in each pay bargaining unit in his Department on 1 April (a) 2010 and (b) 2011; and what he expects the equivalent figure to be on 1 April in each year to 2015.

Norman Baker: Information on posts is not available for all pay bargaining units because management of posts is through local delegation and is monitored by paybill and full-time equivalents (FTE). These details are available in the Department’s annual report and resource accounts available from the website at:
	www.dft.gov.uk
	The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Redundancy

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what recent discussions he has had with trade union representatives on the redundancy process for central Department staff;
	(2)  what steps he has taken to reach an agreement with trade unions on the redundancy selection process used for Department of Transport Central staff.

Norman Baker: If the Department for Transport Central were to run a redundancy process, full consultation with the trade unions side would take place in accordance with the Cabinet Office protocols.
	All consultation with the departmental trade unions in respect of the recent selection process has been undertaken by the Department’s officials. Consultation on the change programme began in May 2010 and is still ongoing.

Departmental Redundancy

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what equality checks were in place to ensure that no bias occurred in the selection process when Department of Transport Central staff in pay bands 6 and 7 were deemed surplus; and what his policy is on equality in redundancy selection processes within his Department.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport carried out equality checks prior to each stage of the selection and allocation process. These took the form of staff in post and equality data analysis, by pay band, for each directorate group.
	The Department will pay ‘due regard’ to equality, as required in the Equality Act 2010 and the single equality duty, if it were to proceed with redundancy processes in the future.

Departmental Redundancy

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether an equality impact assessment was conducted before the job design process for Department of Transport central staff was completed.

Norman Baker: An equality impact assessment (EQIA) screening on the design principles was completed in July 2010 and an initial impact assessment in October 2010 before the completion of the final design, in accordance with our usual processes. The Department for Transport (DFT) Central pay band 1 to 7 Design Process Equality Impact Assessment Report, containing details of the impact assessments, will be published shortly on the DFT website.

Departmental Research

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what (a) longitudinal and (b) other (i) research and (ii) collection of data his Department has (A) initiated, (B) terminated and (C) amended in the last 12 months; and what such research and data collection exercises undertaken by the Department have not been amended in that period.

Norman Baker: A list of longitudinal and non-longitudinal research and data collection that has been initiated, terminated and/or amended by the Department in the last 12 months is provided in the following table.
	
		
			 Research initiated, amended or terminated in past 12 months 
			 Title Initiated (I), amended (A), terminated (T) 
			 Value of Prevented Fatalities and Injuries—Phase 1 I 
			 Advanced Biofuels: the potential for a UK industry I 
			 Scenarios for the cost-effective deployment of biofuel in the UK road transport sector in 2020 I 
			 Amendments to the UK Renewable Energy Directive Art 19(2) report on emissions from cultivation of biofuels feedstocks in the UK I 
			 Child media consumption research I 
			 Christmas 2010 THINK! road safety drink drive campaign: post-activity tracking research I 
		
	
	
		
			 Annual survey of attitudes to THINK! campaign, road safety and driving behaviour I 
			 Post campaign tracking research for the THINK! road safety ‘Tales of the road’ campaign, for Children aged 6-11 I 
			 Evaluation of the 'Code of Everand' road safety online game, for children aged 9-12 I 
			 Evaluation of THINK! road safety education resources for early years and upper primary children I 
			 High Speed 2 Rail Omnibus Survey (Pre consultation) I 
			 Station usage and demand forecasting at newly-opened railway lines and stations I 
			 Peak spreading fares study I 
			 Network Modelling Framework Script Development I 
			 Strategic Fares Model Updating 2 I 
			 Responsiveness of rail demand I 
			 Comparing rail forecasting approaches I 
			 Implementing the "revisiting the elasticity-based framework" study I 
			 Van CO2 Database Matching Project I 
			 GB Van CO2 Database I 
			 Freight route choice using GPS data I 
			 Omnibus survey of public attitudes to bus travel I 
			 Omnibus survey of public attitudes to climate change and travel choices I 
			 Marginal Abatement Cost Curve Project I 
			 Market Maturity and Econometrics I 
			 Aviation Health Studies I 
			 Train Operating Company Cost Model A 
			 Emissions Model A 
			 Evidence Review of the Economics of Shipping and UK Ports A 
			 Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Shipping Services A 
			 Value of Travel Time Savings (VTTS) study—Phase 1 T 
			 National Transport Model Version 4 Commissioning—Phase 4 T 
			 Validation of the NTM using ASHE T 
			 Funding of the Transport Research Centre T 
			 Airport Development—Appraisal of Sustainability Scoping Document T 
		
	
	The following list contains information on ongoing data collection exercises not amended in that period. Ongoing and completed research that has not been amended in the last 12 months is available on the Department's Research Management Database
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/rmd/
	Ongoing statistics/data collection
	National Travel Survey
	Roadside survey of registration marks
	Carriageway work done
	Skidding resistance
	Survey of PSV bus and coach operators
	Survey of light rail operators
	Survey of bus reliability
	Bus fares survey
	Bus and light rail punctuality survey
	Concessionary fares survey
	Taxi survey
	Blue Badge survey
	Survey of civil parking enforcement
	Manual and automatic traffic counts
	R199b road lengths survey
	National rail travel survey
	International road haulage survey
	Continuing survey of road goods transport
	Reported Road Casualties (STATS19)
	Breath alcohol screening tests in England and Wales
	Seatbelt wearing rates and mobile phone use by drivers in England
	Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of fatalities from reported road accidents
	Passenger counts data
	Continuing survey of road goods transport
	International road haulage survey
	CAA surveys
	Domestic waterborne freight survey
	Roll-on/roll-off goods vehicles survey
	Sea passenger survey
	Maritime Statistics Data System
	Port employment and accident rates survey 2009-10

Departmental Travel

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has spent on ministerial travel by (a) ministerial car, (b) train, (c) bus, (d) commercial aircraft and (e) private aircraft since May 2010.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport has spent £155,617 on ministerial travel by ministerial car since May 2010. £7,958 has been spent on ministerial travel by train. Information regarding expenditure on bus journeys is not held in the format requested and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Details of all overseas travel is published on line and can be found at
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/ministers/transparency/
	Section 10 of the Ministerial Code provides guidance on travel for Ministers and makes clear that Ministers must ensure that they always make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements.

Departmental Travel

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much each executive agency of his Department has spent on travel by (a) private hire vehicles, (b) trains, (c) buses, (d) commercial aircraft and (e) private aircraft since May 2010.

Norman Baker: The available information for each of the Department's agencies is included in the following table. Blank fields indicate that the information is not held centrally in the format requested, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			 £ 
			 Agency Private hire vehicles Rail Buses Commercial air Private air 
			 Highways Agency 567,964 1,301,494 3,751 36,075 0 
			 Driving Standards Agency 435,175 — — — — 
			 Vehicle Certification Agency — — — — 0 
			 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency — — — — — 
			 Maritime and Coastguard Agency (1)418,953 161,740 (1)— 878,484 0 
			 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency 270,331 255,663 — 79,029 0 
			 Government Car and Despatch Agency — — — — — 
			 (1) MCA does not account for private hire vehicles, buses and taxis separately. The figure given for private hire vehicles includes all three modes.

Departmental Travel

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent on travel in respect of (a) each of his Department's executive agencies and (b) the chief executive of each such agency since May 2010.

Norman Baker: The information for each of the Department's agencies is included in the following table. Blank fields indicate that the information is not held centrally in the format requested, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			 Agency Total travel (£) Chief executive travel (£) 
			 Highways Agency 2,523,641 4,109 
			 Driving Standards Agency 3,191,805 1,502 
			 Vehicle Certification Agency 1,085,782 (1)29,616 
			 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency — 6,400 
			 Maritime and Coastguard Agency 1,812,447 1,350 
			 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency 605,024 4,541 
			 Government Car and Despatch Agency (2)201,000 — 
			 (1) Some of the cost for the VCA chief executive will have been incurred for GCDA, as they shared chief executive between May and October 2010. The figures are higher than for other agencies as VCA has overseas offices. (2) The figure for GCDA includes subsistence, as the agency does not account for travel and subsistence separately.

Electric Vehicles

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made on delivering the second round of funding to successful bidders to the Plugged-In Places pilot scheme for electric vehicles.

Norman Baker: We announced five successful second round Plugged-In Places pilot schemes in December 2010, for Northern Ireland, Central Scotland, Greater Manchester, the Midlands and the East of England. These projects will be receiving match funding to install recharging infrastructure throughout financial years 2011-12 and 2012-13. The new projects are testing a diverse range of technologies and operating models and will help to inform the wider roll out of infrastructure across the country. We have been working closely with the new projects to ensure they learn from the experiences of first round projects. They will move from detailed planning to implementation throughout the coming year, with the East of England project the first to have installed charge points so far.

Exports: Livestock

Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what powers are available to local authorities to prevent live animal exports from open ports.

Michael Penning: Local authorities have no specific powers to prevent live animal exports, and commercial ports (including municipal ports) are subject to a general open port duty. However, such exports must meet any applicable legal requirements about animal welfare during transport, animal health and animal identification.

Great Western Railway Line

Alok Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he plans to take to ensure value for money for passengers when negotiating the new Reading to Paddington rail franchise.

Theresa Villiers: In January 2011, the Government published the document setting out how it would let future rail franchises. The details of this can be found at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/closed/2010-28/govresponse.pdf.

Great Western Railway: Franchises

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with representatives of First Great Western on the future of the Great Western franchise beyond 2013.

Theresa Villiers: The Secretary of State and Department for Transport officials meet with franchised train operators and their owners regularly. These discussions have included First Great Western's expected decision in relation to the termination date of the franchise should it pass the franchise Continuation Review.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether (a) (i) Ministers, (ii) officials and (iii) special advisers in his Department and (b) representatives of HS2 Ltd have discussed with (A) the Chinese Government, (B) a Chinese sovereign wealth fund and (C) any other Chinese organisation financing or participating in the construction, operation or maintenance of High Speed Two.

Philip Hammond: No such discussions have taken place.

Highways Agency: Fees and Charges

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether (a) his Department and (b) the Highways Agency has carried out any feasibility studies on allowing the Highways Agency to charge the cost of event traffic management to event organisers.

Michael Penning: The Highways Agency is currently undertaking a project to assess the feasibility and benefits of charging for event traffic management. The project is currently at outline business case stage.

Highways Agency: Fuels

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether (a) his Department and (b) the Highways Agency have carried out any feasibility studies on reducing the fuel costs of traffic officers through (i) the use of liquid petroleum gas and (ii) sharing of fuel depots with other contractors.

Michael Penning: For the traffic officer fleet the Highways Agency has carried out a feasibility study on the use of liquid petroleum gas but has ruled this out, as the cost to upgrade the current fleet would be prohibitive.
	The Highways Agency has not carried out a feasibility study on the sharing of fuel depots with other contractors.

Level Crossings: Accidents

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many fatalities there have been on level crossings in the last five years.

Theresa Villiers: There have been 47 fatalities at level crossings in the last five years.
	The latest data on annual level crossing fatalities can be found at:
	http://www.rssb.co.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/pdf/reports/Monthly%20Summary%20of%20Safety%20Performance% 20March%202011.pdf

Members: Correspondence

Amber Rudd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Hastings and Rye of 24 March 2011 on behalf of a constituent Mr Rhoderick Powrie, ref: AR/JA/1530.

Theresa Villiers: I replied to the hon. Member for Hastings and Rye’s letter (ref: AR/JA/1530) on the 3 May 2011. The Department’s reference number for the reply is TV/010735/11.

Motor Vehicles: Testing

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has calculated the potential change in revenue for the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency which would arise from reducing the number of MoT tests a new vehicle would need to a test after four years and every two years thereafter.

Michael Penning: A small amount of the MOT test fee goes to the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency to cover its costs in administering the scheme. A review of the MOT scheme will consider the impacts to Vehicle and Operator Services Agency revenue of any changes to test frequency.

Network Rail: Repairs and Maintenance

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  when he expects work on the drains under the West Coast main line in Euxton, Lancashire to be completed;
	(2)  for how long Euxton Lane, Lancashire has been closed due to drain failure on land owned by Network Rail;
	(3)  what steps Network Rail is taking to repair the drains under the West Coast main line in Euxton, Lancashire.

Theresa Villiers: The repair of drains under railway lines is an operational matter for Network Rail as the owner and operator of the national rail network. The hon. Member should contact Network Rail's chief executive at the following address for a response to his questions.
	David Higgins
	Chief Executive
	Network Rail
	Kings Place
	90 York Way
	London N1 9AG.

Oxford-Hereford Railway Line

Harriett Baldwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what long-term plans he has for the rail line between Oxford and Hereford.

Theresa Villiers: We plan to improve both journey times and services between Oxford and Hereford. The redoubling of the route between Oxford and Evesham is nearly complete and additional train services are expected to operate from September. We expect the Intercity Express Programme to serve the route with faster trains by 2018, and Network Rail is reviewing opportunities to upgrade the track to enable further journey time improvements.

Piracy

Alun Michael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what non-lethal equipment for protection from sea piracy his Department is evaluating.

Michael Penning: The industry-developed document ‘Best Management Practices’ sets out a range of non-lethal ship self-protection measures which can help avoid, deter or delay acts of piracy off the coast of Somalia, in the Gulf of Aden and throughout the Indian ocean. The recommendations included in BMP are wide ranging and include the use of non-lethal equipment to inhibit boarding by pirates, such as razor-wire, electrified barriers, anti-climb paint, and water sprays; and the use of binoculars and night vision optics to assist in identifying potential threats.
	The Department for Transport has previously evaluated a number of these measures as part of a research and development programme, and the results were communicated to industry.

Public Transport: Crimes of Violence

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how many violent assaults against staff of public transport services have been recorded in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many violent assaults against passengers on public transport services have been recorded in each of the last five years.

Theresa Villiers: Information about assaults committed against staff working in rail and in the tube is not held by the Department for Transport but by the British Transport Police who can be contacted at:
	British Transport Police
	25 Camden Road
	London NW1 9LN
	E-mail:
	parliament@btp.pnn.police.uk
	The Department for Transport does not hold any information relating to bus crime.

Public Transport: Fares

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the change in greenhouse gas emissions as a result of introducing incrementally staggered fares for public transport.

Norman Baker: A system of incrementally staggered fares already exists for passenger rail services. Analysis of the estimated change in greenhouse gas emissions would be part of the analysis undertaken in any review of the structure of passenger rail fares.
	The responsibility for setting fares on bus services lies with the bus operator for commercial services and the relevant local authority for contracted services. The setting of fares in London is devolved to Transport for London.

Public Transport: Fares

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has carried out a cost-benefit analysis on introducing public transport fares that are incrementally staggered according to the time of travel.

Norman Baker: No such specific cost-benefit analysis has been undertaken by the Department for Transport.

Public Transport: Fuels

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what expenditure his Department incurred on the development of potential alternative fuels for public transport in the latest period for which figures are available.

Norman Baker: In the 2010-11 financial year my Department spent £4 million supporting the Carbon Trust's Algal Biofuel Challenge and Pryolysis Challenge. These programmes seek to develop sustainable advanced biofuels for the transport sector, including but not limited to public transport.

Public Transport: Tickets

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what date he expects the distribution of the second tranche of smartcard grants to deliver smart and integrated ticketing schemes in the 10 largest urban areas in England to be complete.

Norman Baker: The second tranche of grants was allocated in 2010-11 and distribution of this money is now complete. This is reflected in the updated departmental business plan, published on 13 May.

Railways

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average speed of passenger rail services was in each year since 1990.

Theresa Villiers: The Department for Transport does not hold this information. However, as an exercise, we have estimated the average timetabled speed of passenger trains on the British network to be 45 miles per hour (excluding station dwell times) based on the December 2008 weekday timetable.

Railways: Cost Effectiveness

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the cost-benefit analysis associated with his decision to proceed with the Intercity Business Programme.

Theresa Villiers: I believe that my hon. Friend is referring to the Intercity Express Programme, the Department for Transport's project to procure new high-speed rolling stock on the Great Western and East Coast Main Lines.
	We intend to publish the business case analysis associated with this decision in due course, consistent with the transparency agenda that the Department has outlined recently. The timing will be dictated by progress on important commercial discussions with Agility Trains, the preferred bidder, which are currently under way.

Railways: Passengers

Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment he has made of future demand for London to Alton passenger rail services.

Theresa Villiers: The Department for Transport is currently working with Stagecoach South West Trains and Network Rail to assess future demand for London to Alton passenger rail services with a view to securing additional passenger capacity.

Railways: Snow and Ice

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance his Department has provided to (a) local authorities and (b) rail companies on who is responsible for clearing snow and ice from areas around railway stations, depots and maintenance and operational facilities.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport has not provided guidance to either local authorities or railway operators on who is responsible for clearing snow and ice from areas around railway stations, depots and other rail facilities.
	One of the recommendations from the Winter Resilience Review Final Report, published in October 2010, was that Network Rail and individual rail companies should make regular contact with local authorities during the winter planning process and season to ensure that the clearance of snow and ice is treated in a co-ordinated way across their respective boundaries.
	We encourage all parties concerned to take forward this recommendation as part of their preparations for next winter.

Railways: Snow and Ice

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met (a) Network Rail and (b) representatives of train operating companies to discuss the implications of the Independent Review of Winter Resilience.

Theresa Villiers: I regularly meet Network Rail, representatives of train operators and other key industry bodies to discuss performance issues on the network, including the independent review of winter resilience, and progress made on the recommendations it contained. Further discussions will be held throughout the year in preparation for next winter.

Railways: Snow and Ice

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has taken steps to (a) monitor and (b) advise rail operators on the allocation of small quantities of salt to treat (i) platforms, (ii) depots, (iii) signal boxes and (iv) car parks during severe weather conditions.

Theresa Villiers: The safe and effective operation of rail services during conditions of snow and ice is an operational matter for Network Rail and train operating companies.
	The procurement and allocation of materials to address such conditions is under the control of these companies.

Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider the merits of a minimum floor price for certificates for waste-derived biodiesel under the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation.

Norman Baker: As part of the Government's measures to address climate change, the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) ensures a growing proportion of UK road transport fuels are from sustainable renewable sources. The RTFO includes a certificate trading mechanism to increase the efficiency of compliance. The value of individual certificates is determined by the market. To date the RTFO has met its objective of driving a market for renewable transport fuels in the UK. Therefore the introduction of a minimum floor price is not considered necessary at this time.
	We are currently consulting on proposals to amend the RTFO to implement the Renewable Energy Directive. These proposals include providing additional support for biofuels derived from waste that meet certain mandatory standards for sustainability by awarding two Renewable Transport Fuel Certificates to each litre of such fuel supplied. Crop-based biofuels will continue to get one certificate per litre, as long as they meet the mandatory sustainability standard. In this way the proposed change would give twice the financial support to biofuels derived from waste as conventional biofuels, and no support to biofuels that do not meet required sustainability standards.

Rescue Services

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport of 24 March 2011, Official Report, column 343WH, on coastguard services, for what reason the Parliamentary Under-Secretary subsequently wrote to the Chair of the Transport Select Committee on 10 May 2011 to indicate that regular coastguards had been instructed to decline the invitation from the Committee to give oral evidence to its inquiry into the future of the Coastguard Service.

Michael Penning: The purpose of the correspondence with the Chair of the Transport Select Committee (TSC) was to point out that regular Coastguards are civil servants and, as set out in the Civil Service Code, are accountable to Ministers, who in turn are accountable to Parliament. Where civil servants give evidence to Select Committees they are doing so, not in a personal capacity, but as representatives of their Ministers to account for Government policy.
	However, many Coastguards have submitted their written submissions on the proposals for the modernisation of Her Majesty's Coastguard, either in response to the consultation, or to the TSC, or to both. Additionally serving Coastguards were able to talk with the members of the TSC when the Committee visited three Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres on 18/19 May.

Rescue Services: Scotland

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what date he expects to make an announcement on the future of coastguard stations in Scotland.

Michael Penning: We expect to make an announcement about the modernisation of Her Majesty's Coastguard before the House rises for summer recess on 19 July.

Roads: Accidents

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether (a) he and (b) his ministerial colleagues have visited any accident and emergency departments of NHS hospitals to discuss with staff levels of medical attention required to deal with casualties arising from road crashes involving drivers (i) exceeding speed limits and (ii) driving under the influence of alcohol since May 2010.

Michael Penning: Neither I nor other Transport Ministers have visited accident and emergency departments since May 2010 to discuss specifically the levels of medical attention associated with road casualties arising from speeding and drink driving.
	The Government plan to take further action on drink driving as set out in its response to the North review about drink and drug driving, which has been published on the Department for Transport website at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/drivinglaws/govtresponse/
	Our approach to road safety more generally, including speeding, has been set out in a strategic framework for road safety, published on 11 May on the Department for Transport website at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/strategicframework/

Roads: Accidents

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in what year his Department first established targets for reductions in the numbers killed or seriously injured on roads.

Michael Penning: In 1987 the then Department of Transport set out the first road safety casualty target in the strategy document “Road Safety: The Next Steps” which was to reduce the numbers of killed and seriously injured on our roads by one-third by 2000.

Roads: Accidents

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  whether his Department has made an estimate of the change in annual road fatalities that would arise from reducing the number of MoT tests a new vehicle would require to a test after four years and every two years thereafter;
	(2)  whether he has carried out an impact assessment on his proposals to reduce the number of tests required under the MoT testing regime.

Michael Penning: The Department has recently commissioned independent research to examine how vehicle defects affect accident rates, and to consider the potential road safety impact of changing the frequency of the MOT. The ‘Effect of Vehicle Defects in Road Accidents’ report can be found at:
	http://www.trl.co.uk/online_store/reports_publications/trl_reports/cat_road_user_safety/report_effect_of_vehicle_defects_in_road_accidents.htm
	This research will be a useful addition to other information we will be gathering through the review process, including on the impacts on garages and MOT stations.

Roads: Accidents

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effects of a driver (a) being uninsured, (b) driving a vehicle without a valid MoT and (c) both on the propensity of that driver to be involved in an accident that involves (i) death and (ii) serious injury.

Michael Penning: No assessment has been made.

Roads: Accidents

Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road traffic accidents have been reported on the M1 between junctions 20 and 21 in each of the last 15 months.

Michael Penning: Accidents are recorded using police data and include all collisions where injuries are reported. Validated data are only available up to December 2009. Therefore there are no validated data for the requested period.
	The following shows the validated data for the M1 between junctions 20 and 21 (main line carriageway only) for 2009.
	
		
			  2009 
			 Fatal 0 
			 Serious 2 
			 Slight 23 
			 Damage 0 
			 Total 25

Roads: Hexham

Guy Opperman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he plans to take to ensure that roads in (a) Hexham constituency and (b) other rural areas are cleared of snow and accessible in the event of severe weather.

Norman Baker: Local highway authorities, including Northumberland county council, have a duty under section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 to maintain the local highways which they are responsible for including those in (a) Hexham constituency and (b) other rural areas. In relation to snow, a local authority's duty includes the requirement “to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that safe passage along a highway is not endangered by snow or ice”.
	Central Government have no powers to intervene in these matters in relation to local authority roads. Therefore winter service planning and salt stock supplies are the responsibility of the respective highway authorities.
	The Department for Transport endorses Well-Maintained Highways, the code of practice for highway maintenance published by the UK Roads Liaison Group (UKRLG). The section on winter service recommends that local highway authorities should draw up a winter service plan, which should determine how snow and ice on the roads will be tackled. It also recommends that highway authorities should review their winter service plans annually in consultation with a range of stakeholders. The guidance recognises that authorities may need to prioritise which roads need to be cleared of snow and ice and recommends that they include arrangements for keeping road users informed of their winter service plans.

Roads: Repairs and Maintenance

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the reasons are for the time taken to complete the one-year post-opening project evaluation of the A595 Parton to Lillyhall improvement scheme; when he expects the evaluation to be (a) undertaken and (b) completed; and what plans he has to publish the results of the evaluation.

Michael Penning: This scheme was in an area affected by severe flooding in November 2009, which had a long lasting impact on traffic patterns due to the collapse and closure of a number of bridges. A review undertaken in September 2010, recommended that a one-year after Post Opening Project Evaluation (POPE) study should not be undertaken. However, the need for post-opening evaluation will be reassessed in 2012 when consideration will be given as to whether a ‘three-year after’ evaluation would be worth undertaking, or to wait until the scheduled five-years after study.
	All POPE reports are published on the Highways Agency website, and are available via:
	www.highways.gov.uk/evaluation

Roads: Snow and Ice

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has taken steps to commission research on methods of reducing the volume of salt utilised for clearing ice from roads.

Norman Baker: holding answer 17 May 2011
	The Department for Transport has worked with the UK Roads Liaison Group (UKRLG) and published guidance on the range of actions that can be taken in order to reduce the volume of salt required for preventing snow and ice forming on roads. This guidance is available on the following website:
	http://www.ukroadsliaisongroup.org/pdfs/Winter%20Service%20for%20Local%20Authority%20 Practitioners%20v7.pdf
	In addition, on 24 December 2010, the Department for Transport issued simplified spread rate guidance to local highway authority practitioners titled ‘Winter Service Guidance for Local Authority Practitioners—Recommended Precautionary Treatments and Post Treatments Including Revised Salt Spread Rates’. This guidance is available on the following website link:
	http://www.ukroadsliaisongroup.org/pdfs/DfT%20Simplified%20Guidance%20for%20Local%20 Authority%20Practitioners.pdf

Roads: Snow and Ice

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assistance his Department has provided to (a) local authorities and (b) the Highways Agency on preparations for the clearance of trunk and local roads providing access to airports during times of severe weather conditions.

Norman Baker: For those access roads to airports which are the responsibility of the relevant local highway authority, such authorities have a duty under section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 “to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that safe passage along a highway is not endangered by snow or ice”.
	However, the Department for Transport encourages local authorities to have a robust winter service plan in place and expects authorities to communicate on a regular basis with the local community, including businesses and other key stakeholders within their respective areas, including airport operators.
	With respect to the strategic road network, every year the Highways Agency produces detailed winter service plans setting out all aspects of the winter service to be delivered across its network during the forthcoming winter season, to keep the network safe and available for use through severe weather conditions. These winter service plans, which build on lessons learned from the previous winter season, are shared with key stakeholders and, together with more direct consultation, help to ensure that access to critical national infrastructure such as airports is maintained.

Rolling Stock: Procurement

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many additional vehicles were planned to enter service by each train operating company by March 2014 under the 2008 rolling stock plan; and how many such vehicles (a) were in service, (b) were subject to contracts signed between his Department and the train operating companies but where the vehicles were not yet in service and (c) were planned but contracts for which had not yet been signed on the latest date for which information is available.

Theresa Villiers: Appendix B of the 2008 Rolling Stock Plan set out indicative numbers of additional vehicles by train operating company.
	The appendix can be found here;
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/pi/rollingstock/rollingstockplan?page=6#a1016
	The following table shows (a) the number of additional vehicles in service on 19 May 2011 and (b) the number of additional vehicles currently contracted by the Department.
	
		
			 Train operating company In service on 19 May 2011 Contracted on 19 May 2011 
			 One (NXEA) 80 188 
			 First Capital Connect 153 153 
			 East Midlands Trains — 8 
			 London Midland 28 28 
			 Intercity West Coast — 106 
			 Chiltern — 8 
			 First Great Western 30 30 
			 South Central — 60 
			 South Eastern 48 48 
			 Northern 10 38 
			 England—total 349 667 
		
	
	The Department for Transport has re-started discussions with five train operating companies (First Great Western, London Midland, South West Trains, Northern and Trans Pennine Express) about plans to provide additional carriages. The companies are currently developing updated proposals for consideration by the Department, and until these have been evaluated and commercial negotiations have concluded, it is not possible to be certain as to which rolling stock will eventually be used in each franchise.

Southeastern Trains

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the potential effect that the change in journey times for trains running between London Cannon Street and East Kent to be introduced from 22 May 2011 will have on the performance targets needed to be achieved by Southeastern Trains in order to avoid the payment of compensation.

Theresa Villiers: holding answer 24 May 2011
	The Department for Transport has not carried out an assessment into the potential impact on performance from the extended journey times as no approval has been given to amend the Service Level Commitment under the franchise agreement.
	Southeastern recently brought to our attention that errors had been identified in how it had timetabled certain services from 22 May 2011. They advised that they had taken action which has resolved the problem for the majority of these services, including those with the largest increases in journey time.
	However, there remain a number of services in the timetable that have seen small increases in journey times which the operator will not be able to resolve until the next change in December 2011.
	Southeastern’s train performance will be monitored against the timetable implemented from 22 May 2011.
	I have asked my officials to investigate this matter and to seek assurances from Southeastern on the changes they plan to implement in their management processes to ensure that this sort of error is not repeated.

Speed Limits

Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to publish the outcome of his Department's speed limit review.

Michael Penning: The review of speed limits was established by the previous administration. Coalition Ministers are currently considering their own approach to speed limits policy.

Speed Limits

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  whether his Department has concluded collecting information on 20 mph speed limit zones from local authorities; and when he plans to publish any conclusions arising from that exercise;
	(2)  when he plans to publish information from local authorities on the effects of the introduction of 20 mph speed limit zones.

Michael Penning: The Department for Transport has funded a review of the area-wide 20 mph speed limit scheme implemented in Portsmouth. A report assessing the impact of the scheme was published in October 2010.
	The Department has no plans to collect further information on 20 mph schemes.
	In our Strategic Framework for Road Safety, published on 11 May, the Department undertook to provide local authorities with an economic tool to help them assess the full costs and benefits of any proposed scheme. This will be available in the coming year.

Transport: Exhaust Emissions

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what process his Department has put in place to assess transport schemes on which ministerial decisions are required in respect of their greenhouse gas emissions; and when his Department next plans to review and revise its process;
	(2)  what guidance his Department issues on the appraisal of transport projects in respect of their greenhouse gas emissions; and when his Department next plans to review and revise such guidance;
	(3)  when his Department plans to implement its proposals that the benefits of low carbon proposals in transport projects should be fully recognised.

Norman Baker: We are strongly committed to ensuring that the carbon consequences of transport projects are properly considered.
	‘The Transport Business Case’
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/about/howthedftworks/transportbusinesscase/
	published on 27 April sets out the Department's approach to producing business cases that support ministerial decisions, where the impact of a scheme on greenhouse gas emissions is an important element.
	Guidance on the appraisal of transport projects in respect of their greenhouse gas emissions is published in the Department's appraisal guidance ('webTAG'). The latest guidance is published at
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/webtag/documents/expert/unit3.3.5.php
	The guidance is kept under constant review, and is updated annually. The latest update was published as definitive at the end of April 2011.

West Coast Railway Line

Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the contribution by the Minister of State, Official Report, 31 March 2011, column 156WH, on high speed rail, what (a) assessment he has made and (b) evidence he holds on the levels of disruption to the West Coast Mainline arising from (i) previous upgrades and (ii) potential future upgrades.

Theresa Villiers: holding answer 13 May 2011
	A summary of the planned implementation arrangements (which includes details of planned possessions and diversions) for the West Coast Main Line (WCML) modernisation programme were made available in the Strategic Rail Authority's June 2003 ‘West Coast Main Line Strategy’ (section 6.3 and appendix D), a copy of which can be accessed through the Department's and National Archives' website:
	http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/pi/wcml/westcoastmainlinestrategy.pdf
	Possessions included a nine-day closure and 16 consecutive weekend possessions at the southern end of the route, and disruption was exacerbated by project overruns. For information on actual possessions and disruption my hon. Friend should contact Network Rail's chief executive at the following address:
	David Higgins
	Chief Executive
	Network Rail
	Kings Place
	90 York Way
	London N1 9AG
	The number of passengers using the WCML today is double that at the time of the WCML route modernisation, so the impact of similarly disruptive works would be proportionately greater. Any upgrade to Euston within the confines of the existing station would be particularly disruptive, and far more so than the phased station redevelopment proposed for HS2. However, as there are no plans for further major infrastructure upgrades on the WCML, neither we nor Network Rail have made an assessment of the disruption associated with such work.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan: Armed Forces

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the ethnic balance of the (a) Afghan National Army and (b) Afghan police force.

William Hague: The ethnic composition of the Afghan National Security Forces is broadly consistent with the Afghan population demographic, including in terms of Pashtun personnel. Southern Pashtuns are under-represented in the army and the Afghan Ministry of Defence has developed a recruitment campaign intended to address this. The situation in the police is similar but Tajiks are statistically over-represented.

Afghanistan: Peace Negotiations

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent progress has been made in the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan.

Alistair Burt: In October last year, the Afghan Government established the High Peace Council to lead the Afghan-led peace and reconciliation process. The Council has convened Governors' Roadshows in provinces across Afghanistan to take forward the reintegration of former fighters into mainstream communities. It has also undertaken outreach visits to Pakistan, Turkey and Turkmenistan. Most recently, the Afghan Peace and Reintegration Programme Conference took place in Kabul on 10-11 May, supported by the UK and Japan. This provided an opportunity to review lessons learned so far and to build momentum as the Afghan Government consolidate the Reintegration Programme's implementation at the provincial level.

Ai Weiwei

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  if he will make representations to the Chinese Government for the release of Ai Weiwei;
	(2)  what discussions he has had with the Chinese government on the detention of Ai Weiwei.

Jeremy Browne: On 4 April 2011 the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), made a public statement outlining our concerns:
	http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=News&id=579056182
	His statement called on the Chinese Government to clarify Mr Ai's situation and expressed the hope that he would be released immediately.
	On 11 April 2011 the Deputy Prime Minister raised Mr Ai's case when he met Shanghai Party Secretary and Politburo Standing Committee member, Yu Zhengsheng. I wrote to the Chinese ambassador regarding Ai's case and other human rights issues on 3 May 2011. The Foreign Secretary and I also raised Mr. Ai's case with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying when she visited London on 12 May 2011.
	During my recent visit to China I wrote an article published in the South China Morning Post on 3 June expressing concern about the recent detention of activists including Mr Ai and called again for his release.
	We will continue to monitor closely developments in Mr Ai's case and look for further opportunities to raise our concerns.

Bahrain: Foreign Relations

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with Bahraini opposition figures.

Alistair Burt: Our ambassador in Bahrain has regular discussions with a range of political figures, including from the main opposition societies. These communications are ongoing. We will continue to engage, including at ministerial level as appropriate, to build support for dialogue and to encourage leaders of both communities to show real leadership by promoting tolerance and demonstrating a shared commitment to the future of Bahrain.

Bahrain: Politics and Government

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Bahrain; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: We remain concerned at events in Bahrain. Although the immediate situation appears calmer, there continue to be credible reports of human rights abuses. We urge the Government of Bahrain to meet all its human rights obligations and uphold political freedoms, equal access to justice and the rule of law. These do not run contrary to security, but are integral to longer term stability.
	The Prime Minister met the Bahraini Crown Prince on 19 May 2011 and made clear that events across the middle east have shown that Governments need to respond with reform and not repression if they are to enhance the long-term stability and prosperity of their countries. The Government have encouraged the Bahraini Government and leaders of both communities to show real leadership by promoting tolerance and demonstrating a shared commitment to the future of Bahrain.
	We believe that dialogue is the way to fulfil the aspirations of all Bahrainis. We urge the Bahraini Government to create the environment in which a dialogue can happen and at that point we urge all sides, including opposition groupings, to engage.

BBC World Service

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of people in (a) Brazil, (b) the Russian Federation, (c) India and (d) China reached by BBC World Service broadcasts.

William Hague: According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) World Service, the weekly audiences across all platforms, including online are:
	Brazil: 1.4 million
	Russia: 830,000
	India: 11.5 million
	China: 1.4 million.

BBC World Service: Internet

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the proportion of the activities of the BBC World Service undertaken via online media.

William Hague: Online services are provided in all the languages in which the British Broadcasting Corporation World Service (BBCWS) broadcasts, including all radio output being available in audio.
	The proportion of the activities of the BBCWS undertaken via online media varies from service to service and language to language. Journalists in most services work across multiple media. The proportion of activity directed at online provision within multimedia services varies from service to service according to the importance of the internet and mobile services as a means of news consumption in the countries and media markets each service serves.

Belarus: Internet

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the government of Belarus on the treatment of dissident bloggers.

William Hague: I am aware of the pressure being put on dissident bloggers and other elements in civil society and the independent media in Belarus.
	I and the Minister for Europe, my right hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (Mr Lidington), have released six statements since the December 2010 presidential election condemning the increase in human rights violations in Belarus. We have been active within the EU and in other international forums to put pressure on the Belarusian authorities to respect basic international standards of justice and human rights, which include freedom of speech.

Belarus: Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe is able to conduct an independent fact-finding mission to Belarus.

William Hague: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has worked actively as part of a group of 14 Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) participating states to invoke the OSCE's Moscow Mechanism following the crack-down on the opposition in Belarus during and after the December 2010 elections. The Moscow Mechanism allows for the deployment of an independent, impartial fact-finding mission if one state, supported by at least nine others, “considers that a particularly serious threat to the fulfilment of the provisions of the OSCE human dimension has arisen in another participating state”.
	The group appointed Emmanuel Decaux, Professor of International Law at the University of Paris, as its rapporteur. He began work on 6 May 2011. His report should be presented to the OSCE Permanent Council in mid June 2011.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Politics and Government

Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress he has made in seeking agreement at EU level for action against those in contravention of the Dayton Agreement.

David Lidington: The Government have consistently argued for an active and engaged European Union approach towards Bosnia and Herzegovina. The UK therefore welcomed the agreement reached at the March EU Foreign Affairs Council on a strategy that will reinvigorate the EU's presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina, while maintaining the safeguards provided by the High Representative and the EU military mission, European Union Force (EUFOR). Under its new strategy the EU will be able to deploy restrictive measures (asset freezes and travel bans) to protect against challenges to Dayton and stability. The UK will continue to work with EU partners towards the effective implementation of this strategy.

Bosnia and Herzegovnia: Politics and Government

Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

David Lidington: EU Foreign Ministers discussed Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Foreign Affairs Council on 23 May 2011. I outlined the Government’s concern that, seven months after elections, there has been little progress towards the formation of a state-level government, that rhetoric and actions challenging the state continue, and that reform progress has halted. The Government have consistently argued for an active EU approach to these and other challenges. We therefore welcomed the agreement reached at the March Foreign Affairs Council on a strategy that will reinvigorate the EU's presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina, while maintaining the safeguards provided by the high representative and the EU military mission, European Union Force (EUFOR).

Bosnia and Herzegovnia: Politics and Government

Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Bosnia.

David Lidington: The Government are very concerned about the political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Seven months after elections, there has been little progress towards the formation of a new state-level government, rhetoric and actions challenging the state continue, and reform progress has halted. We are active on the ground in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in all relevant international fora emphasising the need for rapid formation of a new state-level government, a responsible political focus on necessary and overdue reforms, and strict compliance with the Dayton agreement.

Bosnia and Herzegovnia: Politics and Government

Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's policies of the position adopted by Milorad Dodik on the Dayton agreement.

David Lidington: The Conclusions adopted by the Republika Srpska National Assembly on 13 April 2011 represented a serious challenge to the Dayton agreement in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Government are fully committed to the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and have repeatedly made clear that challenges to the structure of the state established by the Dayton peace agreement are unacceptable. The Government fully support the ongoing role of the High Representative and the use of his Executive 'Bonn' Powers when he judges this necessary.

Bosnia and Herzegovnia: Politics and Government

Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to maintain the operation of (a) the Dayton agreement and (b) the rule of law in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

David Lidington: The Government have made clear that the UK will not tolerate attempts to undermine the Dayton agreement or the rule of law in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We are active on the ground in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in all relevant international for a emphasising the need for strict compliance with the Dayton agreement and a responsible political focus on all activities and reforms necessary for the country to function properly and move forward.

Bosnia and Herzegovnia: Politics and Government

Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to maintain the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

David Lidington: The Government unequivocally support the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Attempts to undermine the territorial integrity and structure of the state as established by the Dayton peace agreement are unacceptable and will be resisted.
	We are active on the ground in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in all relevant international fora to ensure that this is the case.

Bosnia and Herzegovnia: Politics and Government

Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's policies of the resolution on a referendum adopted by the Republika Srpska National Assembly on 13 April 2011.

David Lidington: The resolution adopted by the Republika Srpska National Assembly (RSNA) on 13 April 2011 represented a serious challenge to the rule of law and to the Dayton agreement in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and threatened to take Bosnia and Herzegovina further away from its goal of future EU and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) membership. The UK Government, Peace Implementation Council, and EU made clear that this resolution was unacceptable and should be repealed by the RSNA, as did Baroness Ashton in a meeting with Republika Srpska President Dodik on 13 May 2011. Republika Srpska President Dodik's commitment to do so must now be implemented swiftly and in full by the Republika Srpska authorities.

BRIC Summit

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's policies of the outcome of the Brazil-Russia-India-China summit held on 14 April 2011.

William Hague: The scope and conclusions of the summit provide further evidence of the place and role of these countries in the 21st century.
	The Government launched their Emerging Powers Initiative, designed to elevate the UK's relations with the emerging powers.
	As I announced to the House on 11 May 2011, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will shift its resource to the Emerging Powers, in particular with an increase of our frontline staff in China, by up to 50 officials and in India by 30, and with an expansion of our diplomatic strength in a number of other emerging powers, notably in Brazil, Turkey, Mexico and Indonesia.

British Council: Internet

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what work the British Council is undertaking online to promote British values.

William Hague: The British Council's online work reached 46.1 million people last year and is a major part of its activity in education, the arts and English language teaching to create and build trust and understanding of the UK. They have a portfolio of online programmes serving global audiences. For example they offer online materials to help both children and adults to learn English, and materials that help teachers of English around the world with their work in classrooms. As with their face-to-face work, their online programmes seek to demonstrate the values for which the UK is recognised and respected.

British Indian Ocean Territory

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department has spent on legal advice in respect of the Chagos Islands in each of the last five years.

Alistair Burt: Total spending on legal advice on the following cases:
	2004-08: Bancoult 2—Judicial Review into British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) 2004 Orders in Council
	2009-present: Chagos Islanders v. UK at the European Court of Human Rights
	2010-present: Application for Judicial Review of the BIOT Marine Protected Area
	Was as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
			 2010-11 23,555 
			 2009-10 36,486 
			 2008-09 204,693 
			 2007-08 114,853 
			 2006-07 203,300 
		
	
	Total spending on legal advice for the BIOT Administration was as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
			 2010-11 47,663 
			 2009-10 29,088 
			 2008-09 19,174 
			 2007-08 15,177 
			 2006-07 16,977

British Indian Ocean Territory: Environment Protection

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department has spent on the maintenance of the Marine Protected Area around the British Indian Overseas Territory in the last 12 month period for which figures are available.

Henry Bellingham: In the twelve months up to 31 March 2011 the total was £2,049,616.

British Nationals Abroad: Prisoners

George Eustice: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what eligibility criteria apply to financial aid for legal costs for British citizens imprisoned overseas.

Jeremy Browne: The Government does not provide financial aid for legal costs for British citizens imprisoned overseas. As set out in our publication ‘Support for British nationals abroad: a Guide’, consular staff cannot give legal advice, start legal proceedings or investigate a crime. However we do offer information about the local legal system, including whether a legal aid scheme is available. We can provide a list of local interpreters and lawyers, although we cannot pay for either. And we will put British citizens in touch with the charity Prisoners Abroad, with whom we work closely on prisoners' welfare issues.

Burma: Armed Conflict

Andrew Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the ceasefire between Burmese government forces and the Shan State Army-North in Shan state, Burma.

Jeremy Browne: The Government are deeply concerned by the reported breakdown of a ceasefire agreement with the Shan State Army North that has led to renewed conflict in Shan state. We understand that the fighting is taking place in the north-central area of Shan state, which is difficult to access and as such the information is hard to verify. We believe that the recent fighting was caused by the Burmese army's failed attempt to force the Shan State Army North to join a national border guard force. Our ambassador raised the issue of the ongoing conflict with the Burmese Government on 10 May underlining the importance of a political solution. The UK also highlighted our serious concern during a meeting with other EU member states on 25 May and underlined the importance for the EU to monitor the situation.

Burma: Armed Conflict

Andrew Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received of the treatment of civilians by the Burmese army in Shan state, Burma.

Jeremy Browne: The Government are deeply concerned that the reported breakdown of a ceasefire agreement with the Shan State Army North has led to renewed conflict in Shan state. We have received reports which allege that the Burmese army has attacked local communities, whom they suspect of assisting the armed groups, and perpetuated human rights abuses. We understand that the fighting is taking place in the north-central area of Shan state, which is difficult to access and as such the information is hard to verify. In a Security Council debate on 10 May, we called upon all armed actors including the Burmese army and ethnic militia to protect the civilian population. The Government secured a strongly worded human rights resolution at the March UN Human Rights Council which called on the Burmese Government to end continuing grave violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, including the targeting of civilians in conflict areas. The UK also highlighted our serious concern during a meeting with other EU member states on 25 May and underlined the importance for the EU to monitor the situation.

Burma: Drugs

Andrew Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on involvement of the President of Burma with drug-related activities in Shan state, Burma.

Jeremy Browne: We have received no reports to suggest that the President of Burma is involved in drug related activities.

Charitable Donations

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage charitable giving by Ministers in his Department.

David Lidington: Ministers carry out their duties in accordance with the Ministerial Code. Any charitable activities in a personal capacity are a private matter for them. Relevant interests are published by the Cabinet Office in the List of Ministers' Interests at:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/list-ministers-interests

China: Internet

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the recently-introduced restrictions on the access to online media in China.

William Hague: I am aware of ongoing reports of actions by the Chinese authorities to censor and manipulate online content in China, as well as reports of restricted access to social networking sites and microblogs.
	Senior officials raised this issue with the Chinese delegation at the last round of the UK-China human rights dialogue in January, following reports of censorship targeting certain international websites.
	Our embassy in Beijing have reported on the creation this month of the new 'State Internet Information Office', and are seeking to engage this body to ascertain further information on its roles and responsibilities.

Cyprus: Politics and Government

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports his Department has received regarding the arrest and detention of persons demonstrating at the treatment of staff at Cyprus Turkish airlines.

David Lidington: We are aware from media reports that the demonstration took place on 18 May 2011 and that 11 Cyprus Turkish Airline staff were arrested.

Cyprus: Politics and Government

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports his Department has received on (a) the recent demonstrations in northern Cyprus concerning economic measures and (b) the activities of the Turkish Cypriot police; and if he will make a statement.

David Lidington: Staff at our High Commission in Nicosia attended the demonstration on 7 April 2011 and reported that there were in the region of one to three thousand protestors. There was a large police presence in attendance but staff left before the atmosphere deteriorated. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has received no official reporting on the activities of the Turkish Cypriot police.

Departmental CCTV

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many CCTV cameras are installed in and around his Department's premises; and how much such cameras cost to (a) install and (b) operate in the latest period for which figures are available.

David Lidington: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not comment on specific details relating to the physical security of our sites.
	For the period 2010-11 the FCO spent £143,931 on the installation of new CCTV cameras and associated equipment in the UK. This figure includes a one off upgrade of our systems amounting to £141,000.
	The operating costs for the UK amount to £57,769.
	Information for the FCO's global network could be provided only at disproportionate cost so the data relates only to FCO buildings in the UK.

Diplomatic Service

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) consular and (b) non-consular staff of his Department were allocated to each overseas country on the most recent date for which figures are available.

William Hague: I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 17 February 2011, Official Report, columns 993-97W. Those figures include consular staff but for operational and security reasons we cannot provide a more detailed breakdown. They do not reflect recent changes in deployment in Libya.

Diplomatic Service: Internet

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to encourage the use of social media in an official capacity by staff of his Department posted overseas.

William Hague: The Digital Diplomacy department in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) encourages the use of social media to deliver the FCO's foreign policy priorities. All senior diplomats are given digital training before heading out to post, including on social media. The digital unit is in constant touch with diplomats at post, working with them to increase their use of social media for use in communications, engagement and in monitoring, in order to gain a wider picture of events. Our social media presence is strong, and growing, allowing us to respond to foreign policy challenges in a new way. FCO missions and staff currently engage through Facebook and Twitter with over 300,000 followers across the two, and with a growing number of local-language social media in key countries (e.g. Sina.com in China). A significant, and growing, number FCO staff also write blogs, often in local languages, many of which are picked up by online publications in their host countries. We also make significant use of social media to get messages to British nationals in consular crisis situations and are working with social media partners to increase the reach of our presence on such platforms.

Elections

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements his Department put in place to enable its officials working overseas to vote by post in the May 2011 elections and referendum on the voting system.

Henry Bellingham: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office provides guidance to its officials working overseas on how they can register to vote in all UK elections. This guidance was applicable to the May 2011 elections and referendum on the voting system.

Embassies

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what overseas properties his Department shares with (a) other Government Departments and agencies and (b) foreign governments; with which foreign countries each such overseas property is shared; and what the location is of each such property.

David Lidington: holding answer 19 May 2011
	I refer the hon. Member to the response given by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt) to the hon. Member for Moray (Angus Robertson) on 7 September 2010, Official Report, columns 466-70W.

EU External Relations

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek a review of EU expenditure on external relations in the light of recent developments in the Middle East and North Africa.

William Hague: The negotiations for the EU's annual external budget for 2012, as well as the discussions on the EU's multi-annual financial framework 2014-2020, are due to begin in June 2011. In these negotiations the Government will press the EU institutions to ensure that funding for external action adds value and has a positive impact. The European Neighbourhood Policy is also currently being reviewed by the European Commission and External Action Service. The Government are pressing for EU spending on its Neighbourhood Policy to be more targeted and effective with a view to incentivising and supporting reform in the EU's Neighbourhood.

Foreign Relations

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent research his Department has undertaken on perceptions of the UK amongst the population of (a) Brazil, (b) the Russian Federation, (c) India and (d) China.

William Hague: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has not conducted or commissioned any research on perceptions of the UK in Brazil, the Russian Federation, India and China. The FCO subscribes to research on global perceptions of the UK, including in these countries, conducted by companies such as GfK and Gallup.

Internet

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with which of his international counterparts he has raised the issue of restricted access to online media in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

William Hague: I raise this issue regularly in meetings with my international colleagues. I raised these issues most recently with the Egyptian Government during my visit on 2 May.

Internet

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the licensing for export to foreign governments of software that can be used for the purposes of censorship and limiting access to the internet.

William Hague: If an item is subject to control, as with all export licence applications, it is considered on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and UK Export Licensing Criteria, in light of prevailing circumstances and paying particular attention to allegations of human rights abuses. The UK will not issue licences where we judge there is a clear risk that the proposed export might be used to facilitate internal repression.
	Software for limiting access to the internet is not subject to strategic export controls. However should such software contain a cryptographic capability then export controls might apply, depending on the details of the specific software and their full technical specifications.

Kazakhstan: Elections

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's policies of the outcome of the recent presidential election in Kazakhstan.

William Hague: The United Kingdom values its strong, growing relationship with Kazakhstan, where we are among the largest investors. We want to deepen that relationship.
	We welcomed the decision by Kazakhstan's Constitutional Council to step back from moves earlier this year to extend the President's term until 2020 without further elections, and President Nazarbayev's decision to renew his mandate through the presidential election on 3 April. The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)'s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly noted, however, that the conduct of that election could and should have been better. We and international partners will therefore continue to encourage Kazakhstan to make real progress with its reform agenda.

Libya: Armed Conflict

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on post-conflict reconstruction in Libya.

Alistair Burt: holding answer 23 May 2011
	I have discussed post-conflict reconstruction extensively with ministerial colleagues, in particular with the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for North Somerset (Dr Fox), and the Secretary of State for International Development, my right hon. Friend the Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr Mitchell).

Libya: Oil

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent estimate he has made of the proportion of oil production capacity in Libya controlled by (a) the Gaddafi Government and (b) opponents of that Government.

William Hague: There are oil production facilities both in those parts of Libya still controlled by the Gaddafi regime and those controlled by the opposition. However, due to the disruption to the Libyan oil sector caused by the conflict and shining areas of Regime and opposition control, it is not possible to give an accurate estimate as to the balance of control of these facilities. Against this background, Government analysis indicates that at present the Regime has effective control over about 75 to 80% of Libya's oil production capacity.

Libya: Politics and Government

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has had recent discussions with the Arab League on the political situation in Libya; what representations the Arab League has made on operations undertaken in that country; and if he will make a statement. [R]

Alistair Burt: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), discussed the situation in Libya with the Secretary-General of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, during his visit to Egypt at the beginning of May. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), was also in regular contact with the Secretary-General in March during the early stages of the crisis in Libya. Officials at our embassy in Cairo have been in regular contact with the Secretary-General and the Arab League as the crisis has unfolded. On 12 March 2011, the Arab League became the first organisation to call for the establishment of a no-fly zone over Libya. It has continued to take an active role in international efforts including as a member of the Libya Contact Group. Several members of the Arab League have committed military assets to international action in Libya, as well as humanitarian aid such as repatriation flights, medicine and supplies.

Middle East

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information his Department holds on (a) the rate of unemployment, (b) the proportion of the population in poverty and (c) the proportion of the population with access to the internet in (i) Morocco, (ii) Algeria, (iii) Tunisia, (iv) Libya, (v) Egypt, (vi) Jordan, (vii) the Occupied Palestinian Territories, (viii) Israel, (ix) Lebanon, (x) Syria, (xi) Iraq, (xii) Saudi Arabia, (xiii) Iran, (xiv) Yemen, (xv) Kuwait, (xvi) Bahrain, (xvii) the United Arab Emirates, (xviii) Oman and (xix) Qatar.

William Hague: The following table shows the data the Foreign and Commonwealth Office holds for the countries listed on the rate of unemployment, the proportion of the population in poverty, and the proportion of the population with access to the internet, where such data is available. Further information on the primary sources of this data, predominantly the World Bank and United Nations Development Programmes, is provided as follows and is publicly available.
	
		
			 Country Rate of unemployment (World Bank data unless otherwise specified) Proportion of population earning less than $2 a day  (1)  , 1990-2005  (3)   (UNDP unless otherwise specified) Proportion of population below the National Poverty Line  (2)  , 1990-2004  (3)   (UNDP unless otherwise specified) Proportion of population with access to the internet (World Bank data) 
			 Algeria 11.3% (2008) 15.1% 22.6% 11.9% (2008) 
			 Bahrain 15% (IMF, 2010) — — 51.9% (2008) 
			 Egypt 9.4% (2009) 43.9% 16.7% 16.6% (2010) 
			 Iran 10.5% (2008) — — 32% (2008) 
			 Iraq 17.5% (2006) 25.3% (World Bank, 2007) 22.9% (World Bank, 2007) 1% (2008) 
			 Jordan 12.9% (2009) 7% 14.2% 27.4% (2010) 
			 Kuwait 1.6% (CIA Factbook, 2010) — — 36.7% (2010) 
			 Lebanon 9% (2007) — — 22.5% (2008) 
			 Libya 30% (IMF, 2004) — — 5.1% (2010) 
			 Mauritania 7.3% (2008) 63.1% 46.3% 1.9% (2008) 
			 Morocco 10% (2009) 14.3% 19% 33% (2008) 
			 Oman 15% (CIA Factbook, 2010 — — 27.4% (2008) 
			 Occupied Palestinian Territories 26% (UN, 2008) — 21.9% (World Bank, 2009) 9% (2008) 
			 Qatar 0.5% (2007) — — 34% (2008) 
			 Saudi Arabia 5.4% (2009) — — 58.5% (2008) 
			 Syria 8.4% (2007) — — 17.3% (2008) 
			 Tunisia 14.2% (2008) 6.6% 7.6% 27.1% (2008) 
			 UAE 4% (2008) — — 65.2% (2008) 
			 Yemen 15% (2008) 45.2% 41.8% 1.6% (2009) 
			 (1) US$2 a day—at 1985 international prices (equivalent to US$2.15 at 1993 international prices), adjusted for purchasing power parity. (2) National poverty line—the poverty line deemed appropriate for a country by its authorities. National estimates are based on population-weighted subgroup estimates from household surveys. (3) Data refer to the most recent year available during the period specified. Poverty data: UNDP, Human Development Report, 2007/08, Table 3: p238-240. World Bank: http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.NAHC http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.2DAY

Middle East

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) UK-based and (b) UK-affiliated private military contractors operate in (i) the United Arab Emirates, (ii) Saudi Arabia and (iii) Bahrain.

Alistair Burt: We do not keep lists of UK-based or UK-affiliated private military security companies (PMSC) working abroad because there is no requirement for them to register with us.
	The UK is a world leader in the PMSC industry. 36% of the 125 companies who have now signed the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Providers (initiated in November 2010) are UK-based—by far the largest national contingent. The code is based on principles of human rights and international humanitarian law, and sets out broad guidelines for the organisation and operation of the industry worldwide.

North Korea: Burma

Andrew Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on North Korean assistance to Burma in relation to the development of long range missiles.

Jeremy Browne: We are aware of reports alleging that the Government of Burma is attempting to manufacture a range of weapons, including various types of missiles, under its memorandum of understanding with North Korea. Our ambassador to Rangoon raised concerns about these reports when he met the Burmese Defence Minister on 10 May. The Government takes all such allegations seriously and reminds all states to adhere to their obligations under relevant UN sanctions. We continue to monitor the situation closely.

Palestinians: Politics and Government

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what discussions he has had with the Palestinian authorities since the date of the recent agreement between Fatah and Hamas;
	(2)  what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on the recent agreement between Fatah and Hamas.

William Hague: While I have not spoken directly to President Abbas or Prime Minister Fayyad since the agreement was announced, my officials have had regular dialogue with their Palestinian and Israeli counterparts.
	We renew our calls on both sides to commit to peace talks, leading to a Palestinian state that exists in peace and security alongside Israel. Britain hopes that the announcement of reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas will lead to the formation of a government that rejects violence and pursues a negotiated peace, and we will judge a future Palestinian Government by its actions and its readiness to work for peace.

Police: Deployment

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has undertaken with the governments of countries in the territory of which undercover police officers have been deployed from domestic extremism units since October 2010.

Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not been involved in any specific discussions taking place with the governments of countries where undercover police officers have been deployed from domestic extremism, since October 2010. However we are aware that our Home Office colleagues have had discussions with the German authorities to clarify legislation governing the use of undercover police officers during this time.

Population

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the likely population of (a) Brazil, (b) the Russian Federation, (c) India and (d) China in (i) 2015, (ii) 2025 and (iii) 2050.

William Hague: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not made an estimate of population trends in these countries between 2015 and 2050.
	UN projections from the World Population Prospects 2010 Revision are as follows:
	(a) Brazil: 203 million in 2015, rising to 216 million in 2025 and 222 million in 2050;
	(b) The Russian Federation: 142 million for 2015, falling to 139 million in 2025 and 126 million in 2050;
	(c) India: 1.3 billion for 2015, 1.4 billion in 2025 and 1.7 billion in 2050;
	(d) The People's Republic of China (excluding Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan) 1.4 billion in 2015, 1.4 billion in 2025 and 1.3 billion in 2050.

Sri Lanka: Politics and Government

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last discussed with his counterpart in the Russian Federation the policy of the Russian Federation on Sri Lanka and the position of Tamils in that country.

David Lidington: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) has not held such discussions with Foreign Minister Lavrov nor have there been any recent discussions with the Government of the Russia Federation on the position of the Tamils in Sri Lanka. Ministers and officials regularly engage with the government of Sri Lanka and international partners about supporting reconciliation between Sri Lanka’s communities.

Swaziland: Human Rights

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of Swaziland on human rights.

Alistair Burt: The Government are deeply concerned at the human rights and governance situation in Swaziland, including restrictions on political parties, trade union rights, freedom of association, independence of the judicial and penal systems, gender equality and, most recently, application of the Suppression of Terrorism Act and violence perpetrated by state actors, including harm wrought against those in detention. We have regularly raised these issues, in robust terms, with the Government of Swaziland.
	Following the anti government protests in Swaziland on 12 April 2011, the UK took the initiative in drafting and issuing an EU statement expressing concern at the actions of the Government of Swaziland. Our non-resident deputy high commissioner directly raised our concerns on human rights with the Swazi Foreign Minister on 13 April. Our non-resident high commissioner, with her EU colleagues, met with King Mswati III on 10 March, during which human rights and governance issues were raised.

Trade Promotion

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK businesses his Department supported in conducting business in (a) Brazil, (b) the Russian Federation, (c) India and (d) China in the most recent 12 months for which figures are available.

Mark Prisk: I have been asked to reply.
	UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) is the Government Department that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy.
	We estimate the following number of UK businesses were supported by UKTI in BRIC markets.
	
		
			 Market Estimated number of UK businesses supported  (1) 
			 Brazil 1,149 
			 Russia 609 
			 India 1,219 
			 China(2) 1,852 
			 BRIC total(3) 4,642 
			 (1) All data covers firms supported between October 2009 and September 2010 (PIMS 19-22). All figures exclude website premium contents ER events. (2) Statistics for China are for mainland China only. These statistics also include companies supported by the China-Britain Business Council, UKTI’s trade services delivery partner for the mainland China market. (3) BRIC total adds up to less than total of individual markets as some firms are supported in more than one of these markets. 
		
	
	These figures are based on UKTI client records and validation through UKTI’s performance and impact monitoring survey (PIMS)—an independently administered survey of some 4,000 of the 23,400 clients that received UKTI services over a 12-month period.

Trade Unions

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff of (a) his Department, (b) FCO Services and (c) Wilton Park are entitled to work (i) full-time as trade union representatives and (ii) part-time on trade union activities; how many such staff are paid more than £25,900 annually; and what the cost to the public purse of employing such staff on such duties was in the latest period for which figures are available.

Henry Bellingham: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) follows the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) Code of Practice “Time Off for Trades Union Duties and Activities”.
	Trade Union representatives are as follows:
	(a) FCO—six full-time officers and one part-time (50%) officer
	(b) FCO Services—one full-time officer and one full-time vacancy
	(c) Wilton Park staff are nominally also represented by (a)
	To avoid individuals being identified we are unable to provide further details about how many of these staff are paid more than £25,900 annually nor the cost to the public purse of their salaries.
	This response corrects the information given in the previous answer of 6 September 2010, Official Report, column 228W, by the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), to my hon. Friend the Member for Witham (Priti Patel).

Tunisia: Politics and Government

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contact the Government is maintaining with emergent political groups in Tunisia.

Alistair Burt: Officials in Tunisia and London are meeting a range of party representatives.
	Since legislation was agreed to enable new political parties to be registered in Tunisia, a total of 67 have been established and we are looking to ensure that we are in contact with key parties despite the difficulties in predicting which parties will emerge as serious contenders in the elections.

Uganda: Homosexuality

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Ugandan government on the Anti-Homosexuality Bill; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: The Anti-Homosexuality Bill, introduced in the Ugandan Parliament by a Private Member, was not passed during the parliamentary term which has just concluded. It remains to be seen whether the Private Member will introduce the Bill in the next Ugandan Parliament.
	The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for North West Norfolk (Mr Bellingham), called Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa on 11 May 2011 to raise our strong concerns about the contents of this Private Member’s Bill. In its most recent form, the Bill would have further criminalised homosexuality in Uganda by introducing new criminal sanctions for members of sexual minorities and those who promote their rights. This in turn would have a broader, negative impact on the human rights of all Ugandans.
	Along with international partners, our high commission in Kampala has lobbied senior Ministers in the Ugandan Government (including the Prime Minister) over a long period of time to make our position clear on the importance of respect for the rights of sexual minorities worldwide, and in doing so we have made clear that we will not deviate from this position.

Unemployment

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information his Department holds on the rate of unemployment in (a) Brazil, (b) the Russian Federation, (c) India and (d) China.

William Hague: Official reports of unemployment at the end of the first quarter of 2011 were: Brazil 6.5%, Russia 7.1%, India 7.7% and China 4.1%.

Young People

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information his Department holds on the proportion of the population of (a) Brazil, (b) the Russian Federation, (c) India and (d) China which is under the age of 30 years.

William Hague: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not routinely collect or hold information on the proportion of the populations of Brazil, Russia, India or China who are under 30 years of age.

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Adult Education

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many adults over the age of 24 years undertook a (a) full Level 3 qualification and (b) further education qualification above Level 3 in each of the last five years.

John Hayes: holding answer 23 May 2011
	Table 1 shows the number of learners aged 24 years and over participating on a Government funded Full Level 3 qualification or a qualification above Level 3 in 2005/06 to 2009/10, the latest year for which final data are available.
	
		
			 Table 1: FE participation by learners aged 24 years and over by level, 2005/06 to 2009/10 
			  2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09  (1) 2009/10  (1) 
			 Full Level 3 125,700 127,260 177,050 264,640 295,680 
			 Above Level 3 59,340 52,030 45,960 50,560 42,420 
			 (1) Figures for 2008/09 onwards are not directly comparable to earlier years as the introduction of demand led funding has changed how data is collected and how funded learners are defined from 2008/09 onwards. More information on demand led funding is available at: http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/datadictionary/businessdefinitions/Demand+Led+Funding.htm Notes: 1. These tables include Apprenticeships, Train to Gain, University for Industry, Adult Safeguarded Learning and Further Education/Learner Responsive Provision which includes General Further Education Colleges including Tertiary, Sixth Form Colleges, Special College—Agricultural and Horticultural Colleges and Art and Design Colleges, Specialist Colleges and External Institutions. 2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 3. Age is based on age at the start of the academic year. Source: Individualised Learner Record 
		
	
	Information on Further Education and Skills participation and achievement by level is published in a quarterly statistical first release (SFR). The latest SFR was published on 31 March 2011:
	http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_current

Adult Education: Fees and Charges

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many and what proportion of adults will be required to pay a fee for a course to achieve their first qualification at level 3 in (a) 2011, (b) 2012 and (c) 2013.

John Hayes: In November 2010 the coalition Government published “Investing in Skills for Sustainable Growth” which set out the planned changes to the entitlements to full funding Further Education and Skills for adults in England. Learners aged 19 up to 24 will be entitled to full fee remission for their first qualification at level 3. Outside of this entitlement, there is an expectation that the learner will share the costs with the Government; with co-funding in the 2011/12 and 2012/13 academic years, and the introduction of Government-backed loans from 2013/14.
	The Statistical First Release(1) provides the latest data on the proportion of starts and completions for learners at Level 3. Based on historical data we estimate that 3,000 learner places at level 3 could become co-funded rather than fully-funded in 2011/12. However, as the further education funding system is demand led it is not possible to predict the number or proportion of adults that will be required to pay a fee for a first level 3 qualification beyond 2011.
	(1)  Note:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/index.shtml

Apprentices

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many applicants for an apprenticeship aged (a) between 16 and 18, (b) between 19 and 24 and (c) 25 years or over are awaiting an employer place on the National Apprenticeship Service matching service.

John Hayes: Apprenticeship vacancies data do not show the number of individuals waiting for an employer place. However, they do show the number of individuals who have activated their account on the system and the overall number of applications submitted.
	Data relating to candidates securing an Apprenticeship through the online system are not sufficiently robust to publish.
	Table 1 shows the number of individuals who have activated their account on the system between August 2010 and April 2011. Table 2 shows the overall number of applications submitted between August 2010 and April 2011.
	
		
			 Table 1: Total number of individuals activating their account on apprenticeship vacancies, August 2010 to April 2011 
			  Number 
			 16-18 161,160 
			 19-24 103,120 
			 25+ 44,640 
			 Total 308,920 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 2: Total number of programme applications made by age group, August 2010 to April 2011 
			  Number 
			 16-18 265,950 
			 19-24 131,000 
		
	
	
		
			 25+ 21,110 
			 Total 418,060 
			 Notes: 1. Figures for programme applications do not indicate individuals who have made applications, they are the total number of applications made and it is important to note that any one individual can make more than one application at any given time. 2. Figures in table 1 are the latest year to date data, from 1 August 2010 up to 30 April 2011. 3. All figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. Source: Apprenticeship Vacancy Reports 
		
	
	Apprenticeship vacancy reports are updated on a monthly basis and published on the fourth day of each calendar month available at the following link:
	http://mireportslibrary.thedataservice.org.uk/apprenticeships/apprenticeship_vacancy_reports/

Apprentices: Barnsley East

Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much he has allocated for level 2 apprenticeships in Barnsley East constituency in 2011-12.

John Hayes: The total funding available for apprenticeships is over £1.4 billion in the 2011-12 financial year. In support of the coalition Government’s principle of greater freedom, “Skills for Sustainable Growth(1)” and “Investing in Skills for Sustainable Growth” set out the abolition of central targets and increased freedom and flexibility for further education colleges and training organisations to respond effectively to the needs of employers, learners and their communities. It is for individual colleges and training organisations, working directly with their local partners, to determine the offer that best meets the needs of their communities.
	Accordingly, take-up of apprenticeships by level and by region follows employer demand and we are not able to provide estimates of the geographical distribution of funding for level 2 apprenticeships as these would be either too broad to be of use or would be potentially misleading.
	(1) Skills for Sustainable Growth published by BIS
	http://www.bis.gov.uk/news/topstories/2010/Nov/skills-for-sustainable-growth

Banks: Regulation

Esther McVey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he has taken to ensure that the small business lending targets set out in Project Merlin are met by the banks who are parties to the agreement.

Mark Prisk: The Merlin Agreement set out the commitment of five major UK banks to increase the capacity of lending available to UK businesses this year. The commitment to make available £190 billion of new lending to businesses is up from £179 billion last year. £76 billion of this will be allocated to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), a 15% increase on 2010.
	The Bank of England reported the banks' first quarter performance against the Merlin Agreement on 23 May. Lending to SMEs in the first quarter was £16.8 billion. This is disappointing and, although lending is not linear, the banks must do more to ensure that they meet their commitment over the next few months.
	The commitment to lend to SMEs is linked to the remuneration of the banks' chief executives and senior managers responsible for business lending, but the Government are clear that, if the banks fail to meet their commitments, the Government reserves the right to return to the matter and take further measures.
	We will therefore monitor the banks' performance extremely closely and if they fail to meet the commitments, we will examine options for further action.

Beauty Products: Channel Islands

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent representations he has received on the effects on the viability of small shops selling beauty products of competition from internet sales of such products supplied from the Channel Islands.

Mark Prisk: We have received no such representations.

Business: Regulation

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the potential effect on continued implementation of the regulations and legislation listed on the Red Tape Challenge website.

Mark Prisk: The Red Tape Challenge aims to take a comprehensive approach, looking widely at regulation, whether introduced through primary or secondary legislation or other means. It seeks views on where regulations are working well, as well as where they are imposing unnecessary burdens on businesses, members of the public or voluntary organisations or restricting personal freedoms. Ministers will then make decisions about which regulations to remove, improve or keep and they will follow the appropriate legal and parliamentary process. Listing a regulation on the website does not have any impact on its implementation.

Closed Circuit Television

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many CCTV cameras are installed in and around his Department’s premises; and how much such cameras cost to (a) install and (b) operate in the latest period for which figures are available.

Edward Davey: The Department has the following CCTV cameras installed around its estate:
	
		
			  Number 
			 1 Victoria street, London 59 
			 Westfield house, London 14 
			 Kingsgate house, London 27 
			 10 Victoria street, London 9 
			 151 Buckingham Palace road, London 16 
			 St Mary’s house, Sheffield 6 
		
	
	The CCTV cameras have been upgraded at the following buildings:
	1 Victoria street in 2011 at a cost of £130,700.00 excluding VAT and
	Kingsgate house in 2007 at a cost of £271,587.23.
	CCTV cameras at other buildings have been installed for a number of years and obtaining the cost of installation would only be at disproportionate cost.
	The operation and monitoring of the CCTV cameras across the estate is undertaken by the Department’s security contractor and the costs are included within this contract.

Consumers: Protection

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the consumer protection for private buyers of wheelchair accessible vehicles.

Edward Davey: Under the Sale of Goods Act 1979, goods (including vehicles) must be fit for their intended purpose. If vehicles are purchased with wheelchair access in mind, they must be fit for that purpose whether that purpose is made known expressly or impliedly. If this requirement is not satisfied, the seller is in breach of contract and the consumer will have a range of remedies. The Government have no plans to change this level of protection.

Copyright: Internet

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking to enforce the online copyright infringement sections of the Digital Economy Act 2010.

Edward Davey: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), gave the hon. Member for Banbury, on 24 May 2011, Official Report, column 507W.
	During a recent machinery of government change, responsibility for this policy area transferred to DCMS.

Correspondence: Fraud

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking to protect vulnerable individuals from receiving fraudulent mail.

Mark Prisk: holding answer 24 May 2011
	The Government fully appreciates the damage and harm that scams can have on their victims and families and recognises the need for a concerted effort to stop scams, which includes fraudulent mail.
	The National Fraud Agency (which runs Action Fraud) and the Metropolitan Police are taking forward a strategy that will deal with mass marketing fraud holistically and they are engaging with partners and building a joined-up approach to tackle postal scams. This includes engagement with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and Royal Mail who has been working closely with the appropriate bodies to stop scam mail from getting into the postal system in the first place.
	Government strongly advises people to be very wary of unsolicited offers which sound too good to be true, as they often are. And in those cases where people receive material through the postal system which they believe may promote a fraud, they should draw their concerns to the attention of the appropriate authorities to allow them to take any necessary action. Scams can be easily reported to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or by completing an online fraud report via:
	www.actionfraud.org.uk/
	For advice on scams, people can contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or visit:
	www.direct.gov.uk/scams

Creative Industries

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what support the Government provides to promote the UK's creative industries abroad.

Mark Prisk: UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), working in partnership with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and industry partners, aims to promote the UK's creative offer abroad by maximising its export and investment potential. An online toolkit supports UK businesses looking to expand internationally and UKTI develops and delivers international strategies alongside tailored missions and showcasing activities to promote the UK and our creative industries.

Defence and Security Equipment International: Exhibitions

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which countries have been sent invitations from the Government to the Defence and Security Equipment International exhibition at the ExCel Centre between 13 and 16 September 2011.

Mark Prisk: The following countries have been invited to send official government defence and security delegations to Defence and Security Equipment International 2011 (DSEi11):
	Australia
	Austria
	Botswana
	Brazil
	Brunei
	Bulgaria
	Canada
	Chile
	Czech Republic
	Denmark
	Estonia
	Finland
	France
	Germany
	Ghana
	Greece
	Hong Kong
	India
	Indonesia
	Italy
	Japan
	Netherlands
	New Zealand
	Norway
	Pakistan
	Peru
	Poland
	Republic of Korea
	Romania
	South Africa
	Spain
	Sweden
	Switzerland
	Trinidad and Tobago
	Turkey
	Ukraine
	UN
	USA
	NATO

Departmental Responsibilities

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether his Department plans to cease to fund any of its functions over the period of the comprehensive spending review.

Edward Davey: Over the course of the spending review, the Department continues to focus on driving long-term, sustainable growth while finding efficiencies and reducing levels of spending to meet the target savings. Around 10% of resource savings will be made by cancelling lower priority activities, for instance through ending Train to Gain and replacing it with small and medium enterprise (SME)-focused training programme, and through abolishing the regional development agencies in 2012. Reforms to further and higher education funding will deliver 60% of the total savings target, and the remainder of savings will largely be delivered through driving efficiencies.

Departmental Work Experience

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what advice his Department provides to those wishing to (a) work as an intern, (b) undertake a work experience placement and (c) work as a volunteer in his Department.

Edward Davey: For undergraduates, we currently offer two or three Summer Diversity Internships a year, further information about the scheme is available at:
	www.civilservice.gov.uk/faststream
	In addition we advertise a number of opportunities under the Graduate Internship Scheme for students. Opportunities are advertised through the Graduate Talent Pool website, hosted by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
	The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills does not offer formal opportunities to undertake work experience or volunteer in the Department.

English Language: Education

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many women he estimates will be affected by the changes to English for Speakers of Other Languages provision in(a)the UK,(b)London and(c)the London borough of Newham in 2012.

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will (a) prepare and (b) publish an equalities impact assessment prior to implementing his proposed changes to funding for English for Speakers of Other Languages.

John Hayes: An assessment of how the changes announced in Skills for Sustainable Growth may affect English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) learners is currently being carried out by this Department. I expect to be able to publish this before summer recess.

English Language: Education

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on what date he commissioned an equality impact assessment of the proposed changes to funding for English for speakers of other languages courses; and when he expects to publish this assessment.

John Hayes: An assessment of how the changes announced in Skills for Sustainable Growth may affect ESOL learners was agreed in principle in November 2010 and formally commissioned in February 2011 and is currently being carried out by the Department. I expect to be able to publish this before summer recess.

English Language: Education

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  if he will take steps to ensure that those on income support but not active benefits are able to afford to remain enrolled on courses of English for speakers of other languages from August 2011;
	(2)  if he will take steps to ensure that persons on English for speakers of other languages courses funded by the Government and not on active benefits are able to afford to continue their studies from August 2011.

John Hayes: As part of the spending review tough decisions about departmental budgets have been taken and, like all other areas, further education has made its contribution. This has included reviewing the extent to which automatic fee remission for adult skills is provided, and in this context we have prioritised English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) funding to unemployed people in receipt of jobseekers allowance or in the employment and support allowance (work-related activity) group, where English language skills have been identified as a barrier to entering employment. We will continue to pay 50% of ESOL course fees for other people who are settled here. We will no longer fund ESOL courses delivered in the workplace. Increased freedoms and flexibilities for providers will allow them to respond to the needs to their communities and determine within their funding where this is prioritised.
	As set out by the Skills Funding Agency in Guidance Note 6
	http://readingroom.skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk/sfa/skills_funding_agency_-_guidance_note_6_final_-v2_.pdf
	any changes to funding eligibility and fee remission will be applied only to new learners. That means learners already in learning and continuing into another funding year will not become ineligible as a consequence of these policy changes and are encouraged to successfully complete and achieve their learning aims.

Equality Act 2010

David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many responses relating to the Equality Act 2010 his Department has received as part of the Red Tape Challenge to date; and how many such responses he plans to consider.

Mark Prisk: Red Tape Challenge is a website which gives members of the public, businesses and voluntary and community organisations the opportunity to comment on the entire range of regulation that might have an impact on them.
	As of the 20 of May 2011 the Red Tape Challenge site has received 5,078 responses relating to the Equality Act 2010. All responses received through the Red Tape Challenge site will be considered by the relevant Secretary of State in this case, the Secretary of State for the Home Department and Minister for Women and Equalities, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May).

Fossil Fuels

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps UK Trade and Investment is taking to end support for dirty fossil fuel projects.

Mark Prisk: In line with the Department for Business Innovation and Skills' definition of the phrase “dirty fossil-fuel energy production”, in point 18 of the coalition agreement, to mean unabated coal-fired power generation, UK Trade and Investment will not assist UK equipment or service providers to win international work on such projects.

Fossil Fuels

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what consideration he gave to seeking the inclusion of measures to end UK Trade and Investment support for dirty fossil fuel projects in its corporate strategy Britain open for business.

Mark Prisk: Careful consideration has been and is being given to the implementation of article 18 of the coalition agreement. The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), is involved fully in the ongoing discussions across Whitehall on how the fullest possible implementation can be achieved. Within the framework of its corporate strategy—Britain Open for Business—UK Trade and Investment is also playing its part, including by strongly promoting exports of green equipment and services.

Fossil Fuels

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what definition of dirty fossil fuel energy production UK Trade and Investment uses.

Mark Prisk: UK Trade and Investment uses the same definition as the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills: ‘dirty’ fossil fuel power generation means unabated coal-fired power stations.

Higher Education: Regulation

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to enable (a) further education colleges, (b) universities and (c) independent training providers to contribute to the Red Tape Challenge initiative.

Mark Prisk: The Red Tape Challenge website invites comments from all those affected by regulation including further education colleges, universities and independent training providers at
	http://www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk
	It aims to take a comprehensive look at regulation on a rolling, sector by sector basis. Regulations specific to the education sector will be published on the website later this year.

Industry: Food

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of businesses in the food production industry are small and medium-sized enterprises.

Mark Prisk: At the start of 2010, it is estimated that 98.3% of private sector businesses in the manufacture of food products industry in the UK were small and medium-sized enterprises.

Insurance Guarantee Scheme Directive

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when he expects agreement to be reached on the text of the EU Insurance Guarantee Scheme Directive.

Danny Alexander: I have been asked to reply.
	I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given today to the hon. Member for Calder Valley (Craig Whittaker) (57484).

Intellectual Property

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his policy is on (a) maintaining the intellectual property in corporate brands owned by shareholders and (b) the role of brands in consumer competition and choice.

Edward Davey: It is the responsibility of the owners of any intellectual property (IP) to maintain and exploit the right in the way they believe most appropriate to their needs. It is, however, for the Government to provide a framework suitable for enabling such exploitation, balancing the interests of the IP owner against the public interest. The Government recognise that for many products and services, brands play an important role in facilitating competition and choice. They allow consumers to readily identify and purchase products and services they are seeking which offer the qualities that they associate with a particular brand.

Jewellery

Paul Uppal: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what regulations govern the sale and purchase of (a) precious metals and (b) gold and silver jewellery.

David Willetts: The Hallmarking Act 1973 makes it illegal to sell or describe any item as being made wholly or partly of gold, silver, platinum or palladium unless it has been independently assayed and hallmarked in the UK by one of the four UK Assay Offices or, alternatively, bears a hallmark struck under the International Hallmarking Convention. In addition subordinate legislation has, at various times, been made under the Act.

Joint International Unit

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills for what reason he decided to close the Joint International Unit between his Department, the Department for Education and the Department for Work and Pensions.

John Hayes: The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), did not take the decision for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) to withdraw from the Joint International Unit. The Joint International Unit was an administrative arrangement between the relevant Departments. The decision to change this arrangement was taken by the BIS management board in December 2010 as part of a wider review aiming at improving the efficiency of BIS's international policy functions.

Joint International Unit

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what functions the successor body to the Joint International Unit in his Department will perform.

John Hayes: The functions previously performed by Joint International Unit (JIU) officials reporting to BIS Ministers will now be carried out by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) (with the exception of the European Social Fund which remains entirely within the Department for Work and Pensions—DWP). This is mainly policy and programme activity in the area of international higher and further education. The relevant staff and budgets are being transferred to BIS from DWP. BIS will continue to co-ordinate closely with the Department for Education and DWP where necessary, for example where there is a single education input to a bilateral relationship or in one of the international organisations.

Joint International Unit

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the (a) staff grading is and (b) overall salary costs are for the successor body of the Joint International Unit in his Department.

John Hayes: In total nine posts were transferred from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)—65 posts remain in DWP and 16 move to the Department for Education. The staff grading for the posts moved to BIS is as follows: two posts at Grade 7 level, two Senior Executive Officers, two Higher Executive Officers and three Executive Officers. The salary costs are approximately £440 000, which is being transferred from the DWP to the BIS budget.

Joint International Unit

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the costs were of moving the functions of the Joint International Unit into his Department.

John Hayes: Not all the functions of the Joint International Unit were moved to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS); only the activities for which BIS Ministers were responsible were transferred across to BIS. The Department for Education's (DfE) international work has moved to DfE and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has retained its own international responsibilities. Budget transfers between the Departments are being made to reflect these changes. The costs of the physical move of nine members of staff from DWP to BIS premises has not been calculated, but is estimated to be less than £1,000.

Members: Correspondence

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when he plans to respond to the letter sent to him by the hon. Member for Witham of 7 April 2011 regarding Ms Amelia Rope; what representations he has made to the banks regarding Ms Rope; and whether he plans to make further such representations.

Edward Davey: holding answer 24 May 2011
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, will respond shortly. He has raised the matter of fair access to credit for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) such as Ms Rope's business via correspondence; however, it would be inappropriate for Government to urge banks to offer finance to specific businesses contrary to their own risk assessment procedures. However, we continue to robustly support the case for the UK's SMEs in our discussions with the banks.

National Apprenticeship Service

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills for how many days per week the chief executive of the National Apprenticeship Service is employed; and what his pro-rata salary is.

John Hayes: The chief executive of the National Apprenticeship Service is currently employed to work three days per week and his pro-rata salary is £96,000.
	The chief executive's salary position is currently available on the Skills Funding Agency website:
	http://skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk/aboutus/transparencyingovernment/salary/index.htm
	As part of the Government's transparency agenda, the salaries of all senior civil servants below director level will also be made publicly available. The publication date for Agencies is 31 May.

National Vocational Qualifications

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  how much funding was provided by his Department to each industrial sector in each of the last five years; and how many NVQs were awarded by each of those sectors in each of those years;
	(2)  how many NVQs have been started in each industrial sector in each of the last five years.

John Hayes: Information is not collected on how much funding was provided to each industrial sector.
	Table 1 shows the total number of learners participating on National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) in England between 2005/06 to 2009/10. It is not possible to disaggregate this information across industrial sectors.
	However, Table 2 shows the number of further education starts and achievements by Sector Skills Council in 2009/10. These have been categorised based upon the qualifications that a Sector Skills Council have formally agreed sit within their sector. The qualification footprint includes both NVQs and a range of other vocational qualifications.
	
		
			 Table 1: Further Education starts and achievements in Further Education by Sector Skills Council Qualification Footprint  (1)  , 2009/10 
			  Total FE & Skills 
			 Sector Skills Council Starts Achievements 
			 Active Leisure, Learning & Well-being 136,980 110,240 
			 Adult Social Care 12,520 13,330 
			 Adult Social Care/Healthcare 152,430 119,570 
			 Automotive Industries 47,010 35,890 
			 Automotive Industries/Customer Service & Contact Centre 10 0 
			 Building Services Engineering 64,990 50,280 
			 Business Information Technology & Telecommunication 224,970 153,020 
			 Business Information Technology & Telecommunication/Business, Administration & Governance — 10 
			 Business Information Technology & Telecommunication/Creative Media — — 
			 Business, Administration & Governance 101,010 73,450 
			 Central Government including Armed Forces 33,380 24,410 
			 Chemicals, Life sciences, Pharmaceuticals, Nuclear, Oil, Gas, Petroleum, Polymer 1,590 1,070 
			 Children & Young People 93,220 72,760 
			 Construction 158,090 128,870 
			 Construction/Process & Manufacturing — — 
			 Creative & Cultural 134,040 108,160 
			 Creative & Cultural/Creative Media 2,180 1,680 
			 Creative Media 30,810 22,190 
			 Customer Service & Contact Centre 97,500 76,660 
			 Employability 124,830 84,830 
			 Energy & Utility 9,650 9,620 
			 Engineering Construction Industry 1,080 1,020 
			 Enterprise & Small Business 9,920 7,440 
			 Facilities Management, Housing, Property, Planning & Cleaning 29,570 25,500 
			 Facilities Management, Housing, Property, Planning & Cleaning/Construction — — 
			 Fashion & Textiles 4,790 3,740 
			 Finance, Accountancy & Financial Services 66,470 47,650 
			 Food & Drink 14,370 13,100 
			 Freight Logistics & Wholesale 56,580 47,730 
			 Hair & Beauty 123,730 96,860 
			 Health & Safety 33,900 32,720 
			 Healthcare 93,010 85,680 
			 Hospitality, Leisure, Travel & Tourism 140,150 111,340 
			 Hospitality, Leisure, Travel & Tourism/Active Leisure, Learning & Well-being 600 440 
			 Hospitality, Leisure, Travel & Tourism/Retail 780 660 
			 Industrial Relations — — 
			 Justice & Community Safety 5,040 5,390 
			 Land-Based & Environmental Industries 59,510 44,420 
		
	
	
		
			 Languages & Intercultural Working 49,830 35,660 
			 Lifelong Learning 49,770 42,800 
			 Local Government — — 
			 Management & Leadership (including HR & Recruitment) 56,720 42,590 
			 Maritime 3,990 3,390 
			 Marketing & Sales 4,060 2,520 
			 Paralegal 240 100 
			 Parking 130 140 
			 Passenger Transport 46,670 48,080 
			 Process & Manufacturing 59,160 54,830 
			 Purchasing & Supply 70 20 
			 Retail 57,860 42,790 
			 Science, Engineering & Manufacturing Technologies 106,890 84,810 
			 Security Industry 27,920 24,330 
			 Supporting Teaching & Learning in Schools 33,270 28,010 
			 Not Applicable 5,702,840 4,411,020 
			 Voluntary Sector 380 160 
			 Total 8,260,970 6,426,790 
			 (1) SSC qualification footprint includes all qualifications have formally agreed sit within their sector. This will include both NVQs, and other vocational qualifications. Notes: 1. All figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. ‘—’ indicates a base figure of less than 5. 3. Figures include Apprenticeships, Train to Gain, University for Industry, Adult Safeguarded Learning, Further Education/Learner Responsive Provision which includes General Further Education Colleges including Tertiary, Sixth Form Colleges, Special Colleges—Agricultural and Horticultural and Art and Design Colleges, Specialist Colleges and External Institutions. 4. NVQ/GNVQ includes Additional NVQ/GNVQ, GNVQ precursor and NVQ. Source: Individualised Learner Record 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 2: National Vocation Qualifications (NVQ) participation and achievement, 2005/06 to 2009/10 
			   2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 
			 NVQ/GNVQ Participation 511,770 670,030 1,122,210 1,291,440 1,130,020 
			  Achievement 290,880 359,690 494,340 719,020 721,850 
			 Notes: 1. All figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. ‘—’ indicates a base figure of less than 5. 3. Figures include Apprenticeships, Train to Gain, University for Industry, Adult Safeguarded Learning, Further Education/Learner Responsive Provision which includes General Further Education Colleges including Tertiary, Sixth Form Colleges, Special Colleges—Agricultural and Horticultural and Art and Design Colleges, Specialist Colleges and External Institutions. 4. NVQ/GNVQ includes Additional NVQ/GNVQ, GNVQ precursor and NVQ but does not include non-vocational qualifications. Source: Individualised Learner Record

Nuclear Energy: Government Assistance

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what funding his Department provides to assist businesses in the nuclear energy sector.

Mark Prisk: The Department seeks to enable UK businesses, particularly manufacturers, to benefit from opportunities resulting from the growing global civil nuclear market. This has been mainly in the form of providing market information, helping to develop capability and competitiveness, and support for research and innovation.
	The provision of such support has been made primarily via the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (NAMRC), for which this Department provided a £30 million capital and start-up grant, and via the low carbon and advanced manufacturing elements of the Manufacturing Advisory Service, which has included assistance on civil nuclear new build and decommissioning opportunities.
	In addition, a grant for business investment has been provided to Rolls-Royce towards the development of a new civil nuclear facility in an assisted area. This was part of a £45 million package deal that will also see the company build new aerospace facilities in the UK.
	Direct and indirect support is also provided to various companies through the activities of the BIS funded research councils and Technology Strategy Board (TSB). This includes: funding for research and training provided to universities, which often collaborate with business; through research council funded activities; recent funding of £2 million for business-led feasibility projects via the TSB, and further funding for NAMRC which will be supported as one of the seven partners that will come together to form the first Technology and Innovation Centre, focused on high value manufacturing.

Oil

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which UK-based companies which develop and export tar sands oil extraction technologies were in receipt of support from UK Trade and Investment on the latest date for which information is available.

Mark Prisk: The technology used to extract oil sands has not been seen as sufficiently distinct from more mainstream oil and gas technology to warrant a separate classification in UK Trade and Investment’s Customer Relationship Management system. It is therefore not a straightforward matter to identify companies with specifically oil sands-related equipment and services that have made use of UKTI services.
	Researching a comprehensive list would incur a disproportionate cost. However, in recent years the companies on the following list have all taken part in UKTI missions, or other initiatives, related to Canadian oil sands developments.
	4Projects Ltd
	Argon (Isotank) Ltd
	Aubin Ltd
	B2M Ltd
	Caledonian Flow Systems Ltd
	Caledyne Ltd
	Centrifuges Unlimited
	CiTECH Energy Recovery Systems Ltd
	CMP Products
	DNV Energy
	Fircroft Engineering Services Ltd
	FTV Proclad International Ltd
	Global Data
	Hydro Group plc
	Hydrobolt Ltd
	IMV Projects (Wood Group)
	JAB Recruitment
	Latent Ltd
	Leighs Paints
	McLaren Software
	Monitor Management Control Systems
	Neftemer Ltd
	OPS Group Ltd
	Poyry Energy (Aberdeen) Ltd
	R & A Energy Ltd
	Rawell Environmental Ltd
	RBG Ltd
	Scopus Engineering Ltd
	STATS (UK) Ltd
	Surface Active Solutions Ltd
	Technor
	The Fifth Business Ltd
	Thomas Broadbent & Sons Ltd
	Tracerco
	TUV NEL Ltd
	Walker Technical Resources Ltd
	Wessington Cryogenics Ltd

Overseas Companies: Japan

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the effect of the Japanese earthquake on British businesses working in that country; and what support his Department has provided to such companies.

Mark Prisk: Most British companies with significant interests in Japan have returned to normal business. One or two, with assets in the affected Tohoku region, suffered direct damage and are working on repair and recovery.
	A poll of foreign companies conducted by the Foreign Chambers in Japan found uncertainty about the economic situation, and sales forecasts in the short-term. But 65% of the companies polled were looking for further growth, with only 1% considering withdrawing.
	The Japanese suppliers of some British companies have been badly affected by loss of production facilities, damage to supply chain partners or the disruption to energy supply. But many are now returning to normal operations, although we expect the longer term impact will be felt for some time, in supply chains globally.
	Our UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) teams, based in Tokyo and Osaka, have been in close touch with British business in Japan throughout the crisis. As concerns over the Fukushima nuclear crisis grew, British firms participated in telephone calls with Government chief scientific adviser, Sir John Beddington, who explained the situation and took questions. Transcripts were made available via our embassy website and through social media. We also assisted some British companies with the process of importing iodine tablets for their staff, and also provided iodine as a precaution to British nationals and their dependents.
	We continue to provide British companies with accurate and up-to-date information on doing business in Japan, which remains the world's third largest economy and a significant market for UK exporters. We are advising on current business opportunities in a range of sectors, including some arising from the reconstruction and recovery programme. Our UKTI team is ready to assist any UK business considering their next steps in the country, as well as any UK company in Japan in need of assistance or advice.
	Finally, I am very grateful to those British businesses who generously supported Her Majesty's Government own consular relief effort, for example by making cars or hotel rooms available for our use. Others took their own initiatives to provide goods and assistance to the stricken area for Japanese nationals. The UKTI team worked closely with the British Chamber to match requests for emergency supplies to what companies could offer.

Prisoners: Education

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he plans to take to provide relevant skills to offenders to enable them to find work when they leave HM Prison Latchmere House.

John Hayes: ‘Making Prisons Work: Skills for Rehabilitation’, published on 18 May 2011, sets out our reform programme for offender learning, marking a departure from existing practice.
	We will make prisons places where people learn skills to build lives beyond crime, placing a much greater focus on developing the vocational skills demanded by employers in the areas to which prisoners are to be released. We will put in place new learning delivery contracts that focus on clusters of prisons between which prisoners tend to move, putting a new emphasis on decentralised control and accountability.
	That means prisoners preparing for release from HMP Latchmere House will, as our reform programme takes effect, benefit increasingly from a co-ordinated programme of vocational activity. That activity will be delivered in a coherent way across the establishments from which HMP Latchmere House receives prisoners, focusing on the vocational skills demanded by London's employers.
	To bolster this, we will reflect the Government's focus on payment by results by introducing outcome incentive payments: learning providers' payments will be based, in part, on their success in helping get people into jobs.

Regulation

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many officials in his Department are working on the Red Tape Challenge; what the grade is of each such staff member; and what the salary costs are for those officials.

Mark Prisk: There are four members of staff assigned on a full-time basis to the Red Tape Challenge. One grade 6; one grade 7 and two HEO(D)’s. The total average pay cost for these grades which include average salary, ERNIC and superannuation costs are £81,671.00; £65,645.00 and £36,205.00 respectively. The total cost for the team are therefore £219,706.00. There are a number of other officials throughout the Department who have contributed to the Red Tape Challenge. The time spent by these officials on the project is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Regulation

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will publish the process by which responses to the Red Tape Challenge will be assessed.

Mark Prisk: All responses to the Red Tape Challenge site will be considered by the relevant Secretary of State. Any proposals for change to existing regulation will receive full consideration as to whether they are proportionate, practical, beneficial and in keeping with our wider commitments and legal obligations such as European legislation. This will of course include appropriate public consultation and parliamentary scrutiny.

Research

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what (a) longitudinal and (b) other (i) research and (ii) collection of data his Department has (A) initiated, (B) terminated and (C) amended in the last 12 months; and what such research and data collection exercises undertaken by the Department have not been amended in that period.

Edward Davey: This information cannot be provided due to disproportionate costs.

Science and Innovation Network

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 4 May 2011, Official Report, column 777W, on the Science and Innovation Network, what assessment he has made of the effects on the Science and Innovation Network of reductions in expenditure on overseas diplomatic missions by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

David Willetts: As part of the 2010 spending review outcome the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and this Department agreed to continue to fund the Science & Innovation Network (SIN) direct costs on a 50/50 basis with a flat cash budget from 2011-12 to 2014-15. This positive outcome from a challenging spending review recognises the value of the BIS/FCO Science and Innovation Network in promoting UK prosperity and growth and will enable it to continue to play an important role in promoting and supporting UK science and innovation internationally.
	The agreement enables SIN to maintain a strong presence in the highest priority countries as well as extend its coverage. In particular it will strengthen its teams in Brazil and Russia and create new teams in the middle east and Africa. This strategic reorganisation will improve alignment with HM Government’s priorities and maximise value for money.

Space Technology

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking to support the UK space industry.

David Willetts: In the spending review settlement, the Department allocated around £850 million to space activities in the European Space Agency (ESA) and at a national level. This ensures the continued UK involvement in key programmes, and the UK Space Agency works with ESA to ensure the UK industrial return from these programmes. In addition, as part of the 2011 budget, £10 million was provided to enhance the National Technology Programme and to accelerate the development of the International Space Innovation Centre in Harwell. We have also implemented the creation of the UK Space Agency in April this year. The Government are also continuing to work closely with industry to implement the growth recommendations set out in the industry-led Space Innovation and Growth Strategy published in 2010.

Supermarkets: Prices

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the effects of sales in supermarkets of bread at a retail price below the cost of production on (a) employment conditions of workers and (b) competition in the food industry.

Edward Davey: None. Matters relating to the impact of below cost selling on competition in markets fall within the remit of the Office of Fair Trading.

Tobacco: Packaging

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will ensure that no regulation is introduced requiring the plain packaging of tobacco products which would remove the ability of manufacturers to distinguish their products through branding.

Mark Prisk: In March the Government published “Healthy Lives, Healthy People: A Tobacco Control Plan for England”. Within this plan, the Government have committed to look at whether the plain packaging of tobacco products could be effective in reducing the number of people who take up smoking and in supporting adult smokers who want to quit. The Government will undertake a full public consultation on options to reduce the promotional impact of tobacco packaging, including plain packaging, before the end of 2011. The Government have no preferred options at this time.

UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security Organisation

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what priority markets the UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security Organisation has identified for 2011-12.

Mark Prisk: UK Trade & Investment Defence and Security Organisation (UKTI DSO) has not published a list of priority markets for 2011/12, as this is under review, but plans to do so later in the year. While UKTI DSO will focus resources for priority markets, it will not ignore opportunities in other markets.

Video Games: Overseas Trade

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much UK Trade and Investment spent through the Tradeshow Access Programme to enable UK video game developers to attend overseas trade shows in (a) 2009-10 and (b) 2010-11.

Mark Prisk: Through UK Trade and Investment’s Tradeshow Access Programme (TAP), £55,000 was spent in financial year 2009-10 and £56,000 was spent in financial year 2010-11 on assisting UK video games businesses exhibit at overseas trade shows.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Alcoholic Drinks: Prices

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers are available to local authorities to introduce a local minimum unit price for alcoholic drinks.

James Brokenshire: holding answer 23 May 2011
	Local authorities could consider using powers in the Licensing Act 2003 or Local Government Act 1972 to introduce in their areas a local minimum unit price for alcoholic drinks. However, we continue to have reservations about the legality of such an approach. In each case, a local authority will need to ensure that their decision complies with all relevant EU and domestic law.
	Earlier this year the Government announced their intention to ban the sale of alcohol below the cost of duty plus VAT. The ban is an important step to tackle the worst instances of deep discounting. It is intended to be in place by the end of the year.

Animal Experiments: Dogs

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many dogs of each breed were imported for use in laboratory experiments in (a) 2008, (b) 2009, (c) 2010 and (d) 2011 to date.

Lynne Featherstone: The Home Office does not record the information requested. Table 1 of the published annual “Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Great Britain” records the number of scientific procedures by species and primary purpose; table 1a records the number of animals used by species and primary purpose; and table 2 records the number of scientific procedures conducted by source of animals listed in schedule 2 to the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, including dogs. Annual statistics for 2008 and 2009 are the most recent currently available. Annual statistics for 2010 will be published later in 2011.
	The annual publication “Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Great Britain” is available via the Library of the House and on the Home Office website.

Arrest Warrants

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many requests for surrender under the European Arrest Warrant the Serious Organised Crime Agency has received from each other requesting authority in each of the last five years.

Damian Green: The Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (for Scotland) are the designated authorities in the UK responsible for processing European Arrest Warrants (EAWs).
	It is not possible to provide a breakdown of the number of requests received by each requesting member state prior to April 2009 due to the way that data was recorded prior to this date.
	The following table shows the EAW requests from each requesting member state for the financial year 2009-10.
	The data for the financial year 2010-11 is currently being verified and will be published in the SOCA annual report in July 2011.
	
		
			 Country Total 
			 Austria 30 
			 Belgium 90 
			 Bulgaria 42 
			 Cyprus 8 
			 Czech Republic 120 
			 Denmark 3 
			 Estonia 6 
			 Finland 6 
			 France 106 
			 Germany 235 
			 Greece 22 
			 Hungary 72 
			 Ireland 43 
			 Italy 100 
			 Latvia 55 
			 Lithuania 183 
			 Luxembourg 2 
			 Malta 3 
			 The Netherlands 112 
			 Poland 2,403 
			 Portugal 23 
			 Romania 197 
			 Slovakia 54 
			 Slovenia 7 
			 Spain 167 
			 Sweden 11 
			 Total 4,100

Arrest Warrants: Romania

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many European arrest warrants have been issued for the surrender to the UK of suspects in Romania in each of the last five years; and how many such warrants (a) have been (i) executed and (ii) refused by the Romanian authorities and (b) are awaiting a reply.

Damian Green: The Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (for Scotland) are the designated authorities in the UK responsible for processing European Arrest Warrants (EAWs).
	Between Romania joining the EU in January 2007 and April 2009, it is not possible to provide a breakdown of the number of EAW requests issued to each member state due to the way that data was recorded prior to this date.
	For the financial year 2009-10 the UK issued three EAW requests to Romania.
	(i) In the same time period two individuals were surrendered to the UK from Romania under an EAW.
	(ii) None of the warrants issued were refused by the Romanian authorities.
	(iii) A person subject to an EAW is not always surrendered in the same year in which the request is made. Until the individual is arrested and the requesting member state informed there is no requirement for the recipient member state or states to reply to the warrant.
	The data for the financial year 2010-11 is currently being verified and will be published in the SOCA annual report in July 2011.

Asylum: Africa

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  when she plans to publish a new (a) operational guidance and (b) country of origin report for each country in Africa; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  for what reasons the (a) operational guidance and (b) country of origin report for the Democratic Republic of Congo has not been updated since December 2008; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  when she expects to update the (a) operational guidance and (b) country of origin report for the Democratic Republic of Congo; and if she will make a statement;
	(4)  on what dates the (a) operational guidance and (b) country of origin reports were updated for each country in Africa in the last 10 years; and if she will make a statement.

Damian Green: Operational guidance notes are currently published on a flexible rolling programme on a six or nine-monthly basis and focus on the top asylum intake countries. Production of operational guidance notes outside the top 20 asylum intake countries is prioritised according to changes in country situation, case law or other external factors as they arise. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has generally been outside the top 20 asylum producing countries since 2008. The next operational guidance note for the DRC is scheduled for publication by 31 July.
	The last Country of Origin (COI) report on the Democratic Republic of Congo was published in June 2009. COI reports are generally produced on the 20 countries generating the most asylum applications in the UK or where there is particular operational need. As stated above the DRC has generally been outside of the top 20 countries since 2008. The next COI report on the DRC is scheduled to be published in July 2011.
	A table detailing the forthcoming dates for publication of operational guidance notes and COI reports for African countries and the dates of updates over the last 10 years has been placed in the House Library.

Asylum: Appeals

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average waiting time is for an unsuccessful application for asylum to be heard at a first tier tribunal.

Damian Green: The average waiting time for an unsuccessful application for asylum to be heard at a first tier tribunal is 74 calendar days.
	All figures quoted are provisional, based on management information and are not subject to the detailed checks that apply for National Statistics and may be subject to change.

Birth Certificates: Data Protection

Nicky Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the risks associated with unrestricted access to birth certificates.

Damian Green: Current legislation provides that in order to obtain a certified copy of a birth register entry an applicant must supply sufficient information to enable the entry to be identified from the relevant index and to pay the statutory fee.
	A specific assessment of the risks associated with this access framework has not been made.

Crime

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment her Department has made of the potential links between social and geographic mobility and rates of (a) homicide and (b) other crime.

Nick Herbert: There is not a simple link between changes in social and geographic mobility and rates of homicide and crime. It is not possible to disentangle changes in social and geographic mobility from other factors that may have contributed to changes in rates of homicide and crime.

Crime: West Midlands

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will assess the effects of crimemapping on levels of crime (a) in the west midlands and (b) nationally since May 2010.

Nick Herbert: holding answer 24 May 2011
	Greater transparency is at the heart of the Government's commitment to open up and allow the public to hold it, and local services, to account.
	This is why, from January 2011, the Government have empowered communities to hold the police to account and transform the way in which local police and communities work together to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour issues.
	Since its launch, the Police.uk website has received over 415 million hits, demonstrating the significant public appetite for such truly local information.
	No assessment has yet been made of the direct effect of crimemapping on levels of crime in the west midlands or nationally.

Departmental Honours

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many entry clearance officers her Department successfully nominated for the award of an honour in each of the last 10 years.

Damian Green: We do not hold information prior to the Queen's birthday 2008 honours round and cannot therefore provide numbers of entry clearance officers who have received an honour in the preceding years. However, since the Queen's birthday 2008 round, our records indicate that no entry clearance officers have been nominated or have received an honour.

Departmental Manpower

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will make it her policy to publish monthly information on changes in the numbers of her Department’s employees categorised by (a) seniority, (b) voluntary redundancy, (c) natural wastage and (d) involuntary redundancy.

Damian Green: I can confirm information on changes in the number of the Department’s employees is published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) as part of its Annual Civil Service Employment Survey (ACSES). Published ACSES data is available on the ONS website, at the following address:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=2899
	The latest available data, as at 31 March 2010, can be found under “Civil Service 2010 Tables” in table 9 (giving information on the whole civil service) and table 40 (giving information on the Home Office and its agencies).
	ONS collects data from across the civil service on reason for leaving (for those employees who left the civil service in the 12 months up to the survey date, usually 31 March each year). ONS is currently working closely with Departments to improve the quality of information that is supplied. However, this is an annual survey and there are currently no plans to change the frequency of collection.
	The Home Office is fully committed to meeting the Government’s transparency agenda and is actively considering ways to make more of its key HR data more readily available. However, the Department has clear obligations to its employees to ensure that personal data is not released, and that it is not published at a level that could lead to the inappropriate identification of individual employees. In addition, and in line with the Statistics Authority code of practice, the Department has a responsibility to ensure that any data released is reliable and of a good quality, and any change in reporting frequency and content needs to be agreed with ONS and the chief statistician.

Departmental Pensions

Steven Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of her Department's budget she expects to be spent on staff pensions in each of the next five years.

Damian Green: The Home Office budget does not include expenditure for paying civil service pensions.
	The Cabinet Office leads on civil service pensions, which are funded centrally under the Principal Civil Service pension scheme. The Home Office pays a monthly (employers) contribution, which is credited to this scheme.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations she has received on the rate of change of her Department's budget in each year of the comprehensive spending review period.

Damian Green: The Home Office has received representations from a range of stakeholders on the implications of the spending review settlement. These have tended to focus on particular areas of spend rather than the rate of change of the whole departmental budget.

Departmental Public Expenditure

John Glen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what mechanisms her Department has put in place to monitor its spending; and what estimate she has made of the cost of these mechanisms.

Damian Green: The Home Office arrangements for financial management and reporting seek to ensure adherence to the statutory and regulatory frameworks for the management of Home Office funds agreed by Treasury and approved by Parliament.
	The Home Office Board allocates resources, manages finances and assets in line with the corporate strategy, and provides challenge to business activity against strategic priorities.
	Supporting the board in this role, the Home Office finance function operates a formal cycle of in-year—monthly, quarterly and mid year—reviews of our expenditure, with monthly reporting to the board and to Treasury on outturn and forecasts. A formal process of business performance reviews is also operated through the Permanent Secretary's Operating Reviews, in areas of major spend additional approval and scrutiny arrangements are exercised. These cover major investment and procurement decisions, controls over work force budgets, and approval of grant streams.
	Home Office financial results are reported to Parliament annually in the Home Office Annual Resource Accounts. These arrangements are subject to independent review by our internal audit function and by the National Audit Office (NAO).
	The most recent improvements put in place to monitor Home departmental spending, following NAO review, can be found in the Statement of Internal Control in the published Home Office Resource Accounts. The Resource Accounts for 2009-10 were published in July 2010, and those for 2010-11 are still being prepared and are due to be published in July 2011:
	http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/hc1011/hc01/0193/0193.pdf
	The monitoring of expenditure is not only the responsibility of the Home Office finance function but of every member of staff with delegated budgetary responsibility. As such there has been no official estimate of the cost of all mechanisms to monitor spend, and to do so could be achieved only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Research

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what proportion of reports produced by her Department's Research, Development and Statistics Directorate in each year since 2008 have been published; and what the title is of each unpublished report.

Damian Green: The Home Office seeks to publish research and statistics reports when they are complete, in line with the Government's commitments to transparency in Government. National Statistics are produced and released in accordance with our obligations in the Statistics and Registration Services Act 2007 and the associated Code of Practice for Official Statistics under the management of a Chief Statistician who reports to the National Statistician with respect to all professional matters. Social research reports are published in line with the Government Social Research Unit publication protocol except:
	(i) in the case where the Home Office Chief Scientific Advisor decides not to publish in a Home Office series on the grounds of inadequate scientific quality following peer review, or
	(ii) on public interest grounds for example security concerns, where an unclassified summary document may be published with a classified version available where it is appropriate to do so, or
	(iii) for operational reasons where, in some cases, the Department may decide to publish only a summary of research and allow the more detailed research to be made available separately by, for instance allowing the contractors to publish.
	The number and percentage of completed research and statistics reports available on the research and statistics pages of the Home Office website (formerly Research, Development and Statistics pages) are shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Number of completed reports published on the research and statistics pages of the Home Office website (formerly Research, Development and Statistics) 
			  Number of research and statistics reports published Percentage of reports published of total completed reports 
			 2008 31 89 
			 2009 40 95 
			 2010 62 97 
			 2011 (to date as at 26 May 2011) 27 — 
			 Note: This excludes Country of Origin reports that were included on the research and statistics pages on the website from 2008 to 2010. There were 78 such reports in 2008, 58 in 2009 and 45 in 2010. 
		
	
	For the period 2008 to 2010, the following nine research reports were produced but not published by the Home Office. The list does not include some other reports produced in 2009 and 2010, for reasons of national security.
	2008
	(i) Independent Domestic Violence Advisors: A Process Evaluation (The report available on the Cardiff University website)
	(ii) Exploring the service and support needs of male, lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgendered and black and other minority ethnic victims of domestic and sexual violence (subject to final clearance, this report is to be published by University of Bristol)
	(iii) Organised crime: revenues, economic and social costs, and criminal assets available for seizure (This has been released under the Freedom of Information Act)
	(iv) Modelling High Impact but Low Probability Events
	2009
	(v) Visa Decision Research, including Survey of Entry Clearance Officers and Managers and case-file analysis
	(vi) Quantifying Domestic Violence: A Review of Police Recording Processes across Wales
	2010
	(vii) Evaluation for the West Midlands Partnership Peer Support Programme
	(viii) Evidence review of Organised Crime
	2011
	(ix) DNA retention policy: results of analysis relating to the protections of the ‘Scottish model’
	In addition to these the following 12 reports have been completed but the publications arrangements have not yet been finalised at the time of the question:
	(i) Khat—social harms and legislation: a literature review
	(ii) The factors involved in the movement away from violent extremism and promising practices from youth gangs and religious cults
	(iii) Understanding vulnerability and resilience in individuals to the influence of violent extremism
	(iv) Al-Qaeda influenced radicalisation—an approach using Situational Action Theory
	(v) Teaching methods that help build resilience to violent extremism
	(vi) Deaf Integration Project by Royal Association for the Deaf: Process and impact assessment
	(vii) An Evaluation of the Trans-national Resettlement Project: UK and Ireland
	(viii) Evaluation of phase 1 of the Alcohol Arrest Referral pilots (to be finalised once the evaluation of the phase two pilots also complete)
	(ix) The role of the third sector: a research mapping exercise
	(x) An evidence assessment of the literature on the routes of human trafficking in the UK
	(xi) Marriage related migration to the UK
	(xii) Crime costs of a quality-adjusted life year

Deportation: Asylum

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) failed asylum seekers and (b) foreign national prisoners have sought to challenge a deportation decision under the provisions of the European convention on human rights since 1998.

Damian Green: The information is as follows:
	(a) In relation to failed asylum seekers, deportation has been taken to mean removals, as deportations are a specific subset of removals which are enforced either following a criminal conviction or when it is judged that a person’s removal from the United Kingdom is conducive to the public good. Information regarding challenges to the removal of failed asylum seekers would require a case by case search of individual records and is not held centrally.
	(b) Information regarding challenges to the deportation of foreign national prisoners would also require a case by case search of individual records and assessment of grounds for appeal. This information is not held centrally by the UK Border Agency.
	Rule 39 of the European convention on human rights permits an application for interim relief from someone who domestically has exhausted their appeal rights. According to internal management information, approximately 180 foreign national prisoners liable for deportation applied rule 39 to their deportation decision between the period January 2008 to December 2010. However, rule 39 does not become a barrier to deportation until the European Court issue a rule 39 indication.
	Please note these figures are based on internal management information and should be treated as provisional and subject to change. They have not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols and may not agree with published figures. Data before 2008 is not available.

Deportation: Zimbabwe

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions the UK Border Agency has appealed rulings by an immigration court in respect of individuals facing removal to Zimbabwe in each of the last two years.

Damian Green: The number of appeals submitted by the UK Border Agency against rulings made by an immigration court in respect of individuals facing removal to Zimbabwe was 2,639 for financial year 2009-10, and 1,630 for financial year 2010-11.
	Figures include cases where the UK Border Agency has sought permission to appeal a decision made at an immigration tribunal. Data are based on the date permission to appeal was sought.
	Figures include both asylum, temporary and permanent migration case.
	All figures quoted are internal management information only and are subject to change. This information has not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols.

Entry Clearances: Jordan

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the UK Border Agency is taking to deal with outstanding visa cases from Jordan.

Damian Green: From January to April this year, the Amman visa section has seen a significant increase in applications compared to the same period last year. In addition, unforeseen staff shortages and visa process improvements to the section, following the chief inspector's review of the Amman operation in October 2010, have placed further pressure on staff resources. These have resulted in Amman not meeting published customer service standards. The UK Border Agency has provided additional staff in Amman to deal with legacy cases and put in place process improvements. The UK Border Agency is committed to providing an efficient visa service to all its customers, and anticipates that the Amman visa section will meet its customer service standards by the end of July.

Entry Clearances: Overseas Students

Jonathan Lord: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the contribution to the UK economy arising from the issuing of Tier 4 student visas.

Damian Green: Changes to the student visa route were announced on 22 March. An Impact Assessment has been prepared and will be published shortly.

Entry Clearances: Overseas Students

Jonathan Lord: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many colleges or schools in the UK (a) holding and (b) not holding the Highly Trusted Sponsor rating for Tier 4 student visas were recorded as having allowed a violation of the terms of Tier 4 visas in each of the last three years.

Damian Green: The information required is not centrally recorded in the format requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. All Tier 4 sponsors are regularly visited to monitor their compliance with their Tier 4 sponsor obligations. Those sponsors found to have violated their obligations may be downgraded to a B rating with an action plan or have their licence suspended which may also lead to revocation.

Entry Clearances: Overseas Students

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the effects of the implementation of requirements for students to meet level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages on the number of prospective students with university offers who may have such offers withdrawn.

Damian Green: Changes to the student route were announced on 22 March following a public consultation. Amendments to the Immigration Rules were laid on 31 March, coming into force on 21 April. These amendments introduced some changes to the requirements in English language proficiency needed to obtain a student visa.
	The new rules do not apply to Certificates of Acceptance of Studies issued before 21 April. The new rules contain a number of important flexibilities for students at universities, and should not prevent genuine students from taking up their offers.

Firearms: Licensing

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will take steps to even the balance of renewals of firearm and shotgun certificates which occur over a five year period.

Nick Herbert: The Government will be responding shortly to the report of the Home Affairs Select Committee on Firearms Control which contains a recommendation on steps which might be taken to balance out the peaks and troughs of the renewal process.

Firearms: Young Offenders

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people under the age of 18 years were reported to the police for alleged illegal use of airguns in each constituent part of the UK in each of the last five years.

Nick Herbert: The information requested is not collected centrally. The age of persons reported to the police in England and Wales for alleged illegal use of firearms cannot be identified from the police recorded crime statistics collected by the Home Office. The collection of police recorded data for Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for the devolved Administrations.

Forensic Science Service

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment her Department has made of the potential effect of the proposed closure of the Forensic Science Service on the quality and impartiality of forensic science used in the criminal justice system.

James Brokenshire: The Association of Chief Police Officers has been clear that the forensics market can cope with the managed wind-down of the Forensic Science Service (FSS). Private companies already provide approximately 35% of forensics services to the Criminal Justice System. The market is overseen by an independent Forensic Science Regulator to ensure services are impartial and quality standards are maintained.
	The evidential value and integrity of forensic exhibits is tested under the intense scrutiny of the courts from the point of collection, through analysis and to interpretation and reporting. Each step in the process must be able to withstand these critical reviews. Forensic science laboratories across the UK work to demanding quality standards and are accredited against BS/EN ISO 17025 (general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories) by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service. This is the core standard adopted by the Forensic Science Regulator for forensic science laboratory functions and is a requirement of police contracts with private laboratories. The Regulator has made it clear that the standards must apply regardless of where and by whom the capture, analysis and interpretation of science evidence takes place.

Frontex

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Frontex activities the UK has supported in each of the last five years; and what these activities consisted of.

Damian Green: In 2010, the UK supported 30 Frontex activities alongside other EU states. In 2009, the UK supported 21 Frontex activities alongside other EU states. In 2008, the UK supported 28 Frontex activities alongside other EU states. In 2007, the UK supported 27 Frontex activities alongside other EU states. In 2006, the UK supported 22 Frontex activities alongside other EU states.
	The supporting information for these activities are provided in the Library of the House.

Frontex

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Frontex activities the UK supports; and what these activities consist of.

Damian Green: In 2011, the UK has committed to support 26 Frontex activities alongside other EU states. In detail, these comprise of:
	Joint operations
	Poseidon Land, which targets illegal migration on the land borders from Turkey to Greece.
	Neptune, which targets illegal migration on the land borders from the Western Balkans to Slovenia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Greece.
	Air border operations Hammer, Hubble, Mizar and Meteor. These form part of the Pulsar Programme, which aims to disrupt illegal migration from third country hubs into the EU.
	Poseidon Sea, which targets irregular migration by sea from Turkey to Greece.
	Pilot Projects
	Argonaut, to update the handbook for the "Management of massive transit of passengers at the EU external borders" in view of European Football Championships cup and the Olympics in 2012.
	Protection, to agree a best practice guide for EU border guards dealing with minors, asylum seekers and witness protection.
	Vega, to compile a handbook on best practices for the detection and interception of facilitators using airports for human smuggling and trafficking.
	Big Dipper, to explore the possibility of EU airline liaison officer activities in a selected third country hub (following amendments to the Frontex regulation going through EU co-decision procedure).
	Attica, to increase the Greek authorities capabilities to return third country nationals with no right of stay in the EU.
	Joint r eturn activities to third countries
	Take the lead on up to two joint return operations to third countries.
	Participate in up to six joint return operations to third countries.
	Participate in core country group meetings.
	Frontex R isk Analysis Unit
	Quarterly Frontex risk analysis network meetings.
	Bi-annual tactical meetings.
	Tailored risk analysis projects.
	Analytical training.
	Provide bi-monthly intelligence reports and statistics.
	Training
	Maintain a Partnership Academy at Gatwick, hosting Frontex training activities.
	Support false document expert groups and workshops.
	Develop Frontex common core curriculum training.
	Develop Frontex high and mid-level curriculum training.
	Provide human rights and English terminology training.
	Develop human trafficking training.
	Research and d evelopment
	Participate in the implementation of the border checks programme.
	Participate in the development of the European Surveillance System (Eurosur).
	Develop a report on Advance Passenger Information for the European Commission to inform the review of the API directive.
	Participation in Frontex management b oard meetings
	Maintaining a seconded national expert at Frontex headquarters in Warsaw, as special adviser to the executive director on external relations.
	Attending European Patrol Network meetings.

Illegal Immigrants

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what recent estimate has been made of the number of people who remain in the UK for (a) one to five and (b) more than five years beyond the length of stay permitted by their visa;
	(2)  what recent estimate has been made of the number of asylum seekers who remain in the UK (a) between one and five and (b) more than five years after having had their application turned down; and how many such asylum seekers appealed (i) once and (ii) twice and were unsuccessful.

Damian Green: The UK Border Agency is not able to provide the information requested. It is not possible to accurately quantify the number of individuals currently in the UK in breach of immigration controls, as some deliberately evade immigration control in order to remain in the country illegally.
	The e-Borders system enables checks to be made on individuals arriving or exiting the country at a majority of the points of entry to the UK but is not yet fully rolled out. e-Borders is currently tracking around 55% of inbound and 60% of outbound passenger movements to and from the UK. This equates to approximately 126 million passengers a year on over 2,800 routes, and includes over 90% of non-EU aviation passengers. The Government are committed to ensuring that the number of UK ports undertaking exit checks is increased to ensure a more complete travel history is recorded on passengers: This will enable provision of the information requested to be developed as e-Borders is progressively rolled out.

Immigration: UK Border Agency

Paul Uppal: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what dates she expects the UK Border Agency to complete its work on immigration legacy cases.

Damian Green: The “legacy” case load dates back to July 2006. The UK Border Agency has completed its review of all the outstanding “legacy” cases. A small unit has been set up to continue concluding those cases that have been reviewed but not concluded. They will also monitor the controlled archive and take forward any cases that come to light.

Members: Correspondence

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Minister of State for Policing and Criminal Justice plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Torbay of 3 September 2010 on consultation on the change in indexation of public service pensions.

Nick Herbert: I wrote to my hon. Friend on 24 May 2011.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton of 12 April 2011 with regard to Miss K Nwozuzu.

Damian Green: I wrote to the right hon. Member in respect of Miss K Nwozuzu on 16 May.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to respond to the letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton of 21 March 2011 with regard to Mrs L Kirkwood.

Damian Green: I wrote to the right hon. Member on 12 April 2011.

Migration

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the economic effects of migration over the last 15 years.

Damian Green: holding answer 23 May 2011
	I have recently commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee to research the labour market, social and public service impacts of non-EEA migration; to advise on the use of such evidence in cost-benefit analyses of migration policy decisions and to report in November 2011.

Police

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which local authority areas fall within the boundaries of each police authority area.

Nick Herbert: The following table sets out which local authority areas fall within each police authority.
	
		
			 Force Top Tier Lower Tier Council t  ype 
			 Avon and Somerset Bristol  Unitary 
			  Somerset  County 
			   Mendip District 
			   Sedgemoor District 
			   South Gloucestershire District 
			   South Somerset District 
			   Tauton Deane District 
			   West Somerset District 
			  South Gloucestershire  Unitary 
			  Bath and North East Somerset  Unitary 
			  North Somerset  Unitary 
			 Bedfordshire Luton  Unitary 
			  Bedford  Unitary 
			  Central Bedfordshire  Unitary 
			 Cambridgeshire Cambridgeshire  County 
			   Cambridge District 
			   East Cambridgeshire District 
			   Fenland District 
			   Huntingdonshire District 
			   South Cambridgeshire District 
			  Peterborough  Unitary 
			 Cheshire Cheshire West and Chester  Unitary 
			  Cheshire East  Unitary 
			  Halton  Unitary 
			  Warrington  Unitary 
			 Cleveland Redcar and Cleveland  Unitary 
			  Hartlepool  Unitary 
			  Middlesbrough  Unitary 
			  Stockton  Unitary 
			 Cumbria Cumbria  County 
		
	
	
		
			   Allendale District 
			   Barrow in Furness District 
			   Carlisle District 
			   Copeland District 
			   Eden District 
			   South Lakeland District 
			 Derbyshire Derbyshire  County 
			   Amber Valley District 
			   Bolsover District 
			   Chesterfield District 
			   Derbyshire Dales District 
			   Erewash District 
			   High Peak District 
			   North East Derbyshire District 
			   South Derbyshire District 
			  Derby  Unitary 
			 Devon and Cornwall Devon  County 
			   East Devon District 
			   Exeter District 
			   Mid Devon District 
			   North Devon District 
			   South Hams District 
			   Teignbridge District 
			   Torridge District 
			   West Devon District 
			  Cornwall  Unitary 
			  Torbay  Unitary 
			  Scilly  Sui Generis 
			  Plymouth  Unitary 
			 Dorset Dorset  County 
			   Christchurch District 
			   East Dorset District 
			   North Dorset District 
			   Purbeck District 
			   West Dorset District 
			   Weymouth and Portland District 
			  Poole  Unitary 
			  Bournemouth  Unitary 
			 Durham Darlington  Unitary 
			  Co Durham  Unitary 
			 Oyled-Powys Carmarthenshire  Welsh 
			  Ceredigion  Welsh 
			  Pembrokshire  Welsh 
			  Powys  Welsh 
			 Essex Essex  County 
			   Basildon District 
			   Braintree District 
			   Brentwood District 
			   Castle Point District 
			   Chelmsford District 
			   Colchester District 
		
	
	
		
			   Epping Forest District 
			   Harlow District 
			   Maldon District 
			   Rochford District 
			   Tendring District 
			   Uttlesford District 
			  Southend  Unitary 
			  Thurrock  Unitary 
			 Gloucestershire Gloucestershire  County 
			   Cheltenham District 
			   Colswold District 
			   Forest of Dean District 
			   Gloucester District 
			   Stroud District 
			   Tewkesbury District 
			 Greater Manchester Bolton  Metropolitan 
			  Rochdale  Metropolitan 
			  Wigan  Metropolitan 
			  Trafford  Metropolitan 
			  Stafford  Metropolitan 
			  Stockport  Metropolitan 
			  Oldham  Metropolitan 
			  Bury  Metropolitan 
			  Tameside  Metropolitan 
			  Manchester  Metropolitan 
			 Gwent Newport  Welsh 
			  Caerphilly  Welsh 
			  Gwent  Welsh 
			  Torfaen  Welsh 
			  Monmouthshire  Welsh 
			 Hampshire Hampshire  County 
			   Basingstoke and Deane District 
			   East Hampshire District 
			   Eastleigh District 
			   Fareham District 
			   Gosport District 
			   Hart District 
			   Havant District 
			   New Forest District 
			   Rushmoor District 
			   Test Valley District 
			   Winchester District 
			  Portsmouth  Unitary 
			  Southampton  Unitary 
			  Isle of Wight  Unitary 
			 Hertfordshire Hertfordshire  County 
			   Broxbourne District 
			   Dacorum District 
			   East Hertfordshire District 
			   Hertsmere District 
			   North Hertfordshire District 
		
	
	
		
			   St Albans District 
			   Stevenage District 
			   Three Rivers District 
			   Watford District 
			   Welwyn and Hatfield District 
			 Humberside Hull  Unitary 
			  East Yorkshire  Unitary 
			  North Lincolnshire  Unitary 
			  North East Lincolnshire  Unitary 
			 Kent Medway  Unitary 
			  Kent  County 
			   Ashford District 
			   Canterbury District 
			   Dartford and Gravesham District 
			   Dover District 
			   Maidstone District 
			   Medway District 
			   Sevenoaks District 
			   Shepway District 
			   Swale District 
			   Thanet District 
			   Tonbridge and Mailing District 
			   Tunbridge Wells District 
			 Lancashire Lancashire  County 
			   Burnley District 
			   Chorley District 
			   Fylde District 
			   Hyndeburn District 
			   Lancaster District 
			   Pendle District 
			   Preston District 
			   Ribble valley District 
			   Rossendale District 
			   South Ribble District 
			  ' West Lancashire District 
			   Wyre District 
			  Blackpool  Unitary 
			  Blackburn  Unitary 
			 Leicestershire Leicestershire  County 
			   Blaby District 
			   Charnwood District 
			   Harborough District 
			   Hinckley and Bosworth District 
			   Melton District 
			   North West Leicestershire District 
			   Oadby and Wigston District 
			  Leicester  Unitary 
			  Rutland  Unitary 
			 Lincolnshire Lincolnshire  County 
			   Boston District 
		
	
	
		
			   East Lindsey District 
			   Lincoln District 
			   North Kesteven District 
			   South Holland District 
			   South Kesteven District 
			   West Lindsey District 
			 Merseyside Liverpool  Metropolitan 
			  Sefton  Metropolitan 
			  Wirral  Metropolitan 
			  Knowsley  Metropolitan 
			  St Helens  Metropolitan 
			 Norfolk Norfolk  bounty 
			   Breckland District 
			   Broadland District 
			   Great Yarmouth District 
			   Kings Lynn and West Norfolk District 
			   North Norfolk District 
			   Norwich District 
			   South Norfolk District 
			 North Wales Gwynedd  Welsh 
			  Isle of Anglesey  Welsh 
			  Conwy  Welsh 
			  Denbighshire  Welsh 
			  Flintshire  Welsh 
			  Wrexham  Wetsh 
			 North Yorkshire North Yorkshire  County 
			   Craven District 
			   Hambleton District 
			   Harrogate District 
			   Richmondshire District 
			   Ryedale District 
			   Scarborough District 
			   Selby District 
			  York  Unitary 
			 Northamptonshire Northamptonshire  County 
			   Corby District 
			   Daventry District 
			   East Northamptonshire District 
			   Kettering District 
			   Northampton District 
			   South Northamptonshire District 
			   Wellingborough District 
			 Northumbria Northumberland  Unitary 
			  Newcastle  Metropolitan 
			  N Tyneside  Metropolitan 
			  S Tyneside  Metropolitan 
			  Gateshead  Metropolitan 
			  Sunderland  Metropolitan 
			 Nottinghamshire Nottinghamshire  County 
			   Bassetlaw District 
			   Mansfield District 
		
	
	
		
			   Newark and Sherwood District 
			   Ashfield District 
			   Broxtowe District 
			   Rushcliffe District 
			   Gedling District 
			  Nottingham  Unitary 
			 South Wales Bridgend  Welsh 
			  Cardiff  Welsh 
			  Merthyr Tydfil  Welsh 
			  Port Talbot  Welsh 
			  Rhondda Cynon Taf  Welsh 
			  Swansea  Welsh 
			  Glamorgan  Welsh 
			 South Yorkshire Sheffield  Metropolitan 
			  Rotherham  Metropolitan 
			  Don easier  Metropolitan 
			  Barnsley  Metropolitan 
			 Staffordshire Staffordshire  County 
			   Tamworth District 
			   Lichfield District 
			   Cannock Chase District 
			   South Staffordshire District 
			   Stafford District 
			   Newcastle-under-Lyme District 
			   Staffordshire Moorlands District 
			   East Staffordshire District 
			  Stoke  Unitary 
			 Suffolk Suffolk  County 
			   Ipswich District 
			   Suffolk Coastal District 
			   Waveney District 
			   Mid Suffolk District 
			   St Edmundsbury District 
			   Forest Heath District 
			   Babergh District 
			 Surrey Surrey  County 
			   Spelt home District 
			   Runnvmede District 
			   Surrey Heath District 
			   Woking District 
			   Elmbridge District 
			   Guildford District 
			   Waverley District 
			   Mole Valley District 
			   Epsom and Ewell District 
			   Reigate and Banstead District 
			   Tandridge District 
			 Sussex W Sussex  County 
			   Arun District 
		
	
	
		
			   Chichester District 
			   Worthing District 
			   Horsham District 
			   Mid Sussex District 
			   Adur District 
			   Crawley District 
			  E Sussex  County 
			   Rotherham District 
			   Hastings District 
			   Wealden District 
			   Lewes District 
			   Eastbourne District 
			  Brighton  Unitary 
			 Thames Valley West Berkshire  UrtHarv 
			  Wokingham  Unitary 
			  Slough  Unitary 
			  Windsor and Maidenhead  Unitary 
			  Reading  Unitary 
			  Bracknell Forest  Unitary 
			  Oxons  County 
			   Oxford District 
			   Vale of White Horse District 
			   West Oxfordshire District 
			   Cherwell District 
			   South Oxfordshire District 
			  Buckinghamshire  County 
			   Aylesbury Vale District 
			   South Bucks District 
			   Chiltern District 
			   Wycombe District 
			  Mill on Keynes  Unitary 
			 Warwickshire Warwickshire  County 
			   North Warwickshire District 
			   Nuneaton and Bedworth District 
			   Rugby District 
			   Stratford upon Avon District 
			   Warwick District 
			 West Mercia Shropshire  Unitary 
			  Telford  Unitary 
			  Herefordshire  Unitary 
			  Worcestershire  County 
			   Worcester District 
			   Mavern Hills District 
			   Wyre Forest District 
			   Bromsgrove District 
			   Redditch District 
			   Wychavon District 
			 Wesl Midlands Wolverhampton  Metropolitan 
			  Birmingham  Metropolitan 
			  Walsall  Metropolitan 
		
	
	
		
			  Sandwell  Metropolitan 
			  Solihull  Metropolitan 
			  Coventry  Metropolitan 
			  Dudley  Metropolitan 
			 West Yorkshire Leeds  Metropolitan 
			  Wakefield  Metropolitan 
			  Kirklees  Metropolitan 
			  Calderdale  Metropolitan 
			  Bradford  Metropolitan 
			 Wiltshire Wiltshire  Unitary 
			  Swindon  Unitary

Police: Accountability

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she has received a request from (a) the Welsh Government and (b) the Secretary of State for Wales to meet to discuss the role of elected police commissioners in Wales between 6 May and 20 May 2011.

Nick Herbert: No, the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), has not received a request from (a) Members of the Welsh Government or (b) the Secretary of State for Wales between 6 May and 20 May 2011 to meet to discuss the role of elected police commissioners in Wales.

Police: Complaints

Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  if she will bring forward proposals to enable the Independent Police Complaints Commission to consider a broader range of complaints against the police;
	(2)  if she will bring forward proposals to ensure greater independent oversight of police handling of complaints.

Nick Herbert: The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill contains a range of proposals designed to make improvements to the police complaints system. The underlying principles are that complaints should be dealt with at the appropriate level and that the system should focus more on improving the service the public receives rather than simply apportioning blame.
	The Chief Officer of the force concerned will be responsible for dealing with low level complaints which are suitable to be dealt with by the local force and which do not amount to an allegation which would justify criminal or disciplinary proceedings. Complainants will have a right of appeal to the Chief Officer if they feel their concerns have not been adequately addressed at the local level. Police and Crime Commissioners will be given a new power to direct Chief Officers to take action where there is failure to deal with a complaint appropriately and the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) will retain its power to ‘call in’ any case.
	The Bill will change the definition of the conduct that can be the subject of a complaint, making it clear that decisions, as well as acts, omissions and statements are included. In cases where a complaint reveals that the performance of a police officer is unsatisfactory, the IPCC will have the power to recommend and direct that unsatisfactory performance proceedings are brought against an officer. This provides the IPCC with the same power as they currently have in respect of misconduct matters.

Police: North Wales

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will assess the effects of reductions in expenditure by local government on the effectiveness of police co-operation with local authorities in North Wales.

Nick Herbert: Decisions about how local agencies co-operate are the responsibility of community safety partnerships at local level. These partnerships consult with their communities in order to formulate crime reduction plans to address priority issues and make the best use of collective local resources. The effectiveness of agency co-operation can be challenged through the overview and scrutiny arrangements provided by local authority crime and disorder committees.

Police: Surveillance

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what (a) EU and (b) international laws undercover police officers are subject when operating outside the UK.

James Brokenshire: UK police officers operating outside the UK do so with regard to the domestic laws of the country in which they are operating. A request to the overseas authority to deploy an undercover officer is usually brokered through a network of police liaison officers who provide assurance on both the appropriateness of the request and validity of the host nation authority.

Police: Surveillance

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will publish the guidelines issued by her Department for undercover police officers operating outside the UK.

James Brokenshire: Guidance is contained in Chapter 4 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 statutory code of practice on the use of covert human intelligence sources. A copy is available in the House Library.

Serious Organised Crime Agency: Manpower

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many employees of the Serious Organised Crime Agency are in receipt of a police pension.

Nick Herbert: As of 24 May 2011, 94 SOCA employees are in receipt of a police pension.

Trade Unions

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff of (a) her Department, (b) the Criminal Records Bureau, (c) the Identity and Passport Service and (d) the UK Border Agency are entitled to work (i) full-time as trade union representatives and (ii) part-time on trade union activities; how many such staff are paid more than £25,900 annually; and what the cost to the public purse of employing such staff on such duties was in the latest period for which figures are available.

Damian Green: The 23,939 staff in Home Office headquarters (HOHQ) and the UK Border Agency (UKBA) (a and d) are supported by one group of trade union officials. The 3,760 staff in the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) (c) are supported by a separate group of trade union officials, as again are the 631 staff in the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) (b).
	Headquarters and the UKBA
	There are seven full-time trade union posts.
	Due to the low numbers of people concerned and the risk of breaching data protection it would be inappropriate to specify the number of these staff paid over £25,900.
	Additionally, during the year 2010-11 there were 414 members of staff in HOHQ and UKBA who were entitled to request ad-hoc time off for trade union activity following election/appointment to a union role.
	The actual cost to the public purse of employing staff with the entitlement to work part-time or full-time in their trade union role in the latest period for which figures are available is not centrally recorded and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Based on allocations to all union roles within HOHQ and UKBA the cost of facility time in the year 2010-11 equates to approximately 0.2% of the pay bill.
	Identity and Passport Service
	There are four full-time trade union posts.
	Due to the low numbers of people concerned and the risk of breaching data protection it would be inappropriate to specify the number of staff paid over £25,900.
	Additionally, during the year 2010-11 there were 67 members of staff in IPS who were entitled to request ad-hoc time off for trade union activity following election/appointment to a union role.
	The actual cost to the public purse of employing staff with the entitlement to work part-time or full-time in their trade union role in the latest period for which figures are available is not centrally recorded and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Based on allocations to all union roles within IPS the cost of facility time in the year 2010-11 equates to approximately 0.2% of the pay bill.
	Criminal Records Bureau
	There is one full-time union representative and one part-time union representative.
	Due to the low numbers of people concerned and the risk of breaching data protection it would be inappropriate to specify the number of staff paid over £25,900.
	Additionally, there is a number of staff who work on a facility time basis, as and when required.
	The actual cost to the public purse of employing staff with the entitlement to work part-time or full-time in their trade union role in the latest period for which figures are available is not centrally recorded and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Based on allocations to all union roles within CRB the cost of facility time in the year 2010-11 equates to approximately 0.2% of the pay bill.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Access to Work Programme

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has for the future (a) level of funding and (b) eligibility criteria of the Access to Work programme.

Maria Miller: The Government will continue to review welfare to work programmes to ensure the support they provide remains appropriate, effective and offers value for money. We are committed to ensuring disabled people are given the right support they need to get a job and remain in employment.
	One of our key priorities is to ensure equality in the labour market for those with disability-related barriers to work, Access to Work can help with this. In 2009-10 Access to Work was funded to help 37,300 disabled people to stay in employment and we are on course to help even more in 2010-11.
	There are currently no plans to change the eligibility criteria for Access to Work.
	In December 2010, I asked Liz Sayce, chief executive of Radar, to lead a review of specialist disability employment programmes, including Access to Work. The review is a practical example of both our absolute determination to get employment support for disabled people right and our ongoing commitment to co-producing the changes we need to achieve this. The recommendations of the review will be published in summer 2011.

Autism

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his most recent assessment is of the extent to which adults with autism are able to access appropriate services provided by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Miller: Jobcentre Plus is constantly reviewing ways that it can improve the customer service experience for all, including disabled people and people with Hidden Impairments such as Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) including: Asperger’s syndrome.
	In February 2010, in response to several requests from disability organisations, Jobcentre Plus established the Hidden Impairment National Group (HING), which is attended by leading medical professionals, disability specific organisations such as the National Autistic Society, Autism Plus, Addept and representatives with Hidden Impairments that are Jobcentre Plus service users. The main aim of the group is to improve the skills and knowledge of Jobcentre Plus staff by developing practical support tools to help them deliver an effective customer service experience at all stages of the individuals journey.
	Jobcentre Plus provides appropriate and flexible support to ensure customers, regardless of their disabilities, are informed about and can access its services. The majority of Jobcentre Plus customers currently make their claims over the telephone to a contact centre. They are asked a range of questions to identify the most appropriate benefits available to them and the information is recorded electronically, removing the need for a claim form to be completed.
	If a call of this type might prove difficult for a customer with autism, they can consent to a representative giving the information on their behalf. Customers can involve third party support at any stage in the process to access services if they think it is necessary.
	Increasingly, customers are opting to apply for jobseeker’s allowance online via the “Do it online” section of the Directgov website. This provides the flexibility to access Jobcentre Plus services from their own homes, at a pace that suits them and allows them to be assisted in completing the application by an advocate or representative. Customers can also submit an initial application for employment support allowance via the internet claim service.
	Should a customer be unable to use either of the options above, clerical forms can be issued or, where appropriate, a face to face interview at the customer's local Jobcentre Plus office organised.
	Our work, with national partners such as the Citizen Advice Bureau at a strategic and operational level, offers a holistic and joined up service for disabled people, including those with autism.
	Jobcentre Plus staff have the opportunity to learn more about the autism agenda through the 'Raising the Game on Disability' seminar, which covers a range of pan disability topics, but can also specifically include a session around ASD, to improve the customer service experience for individuals.

Care Homes: Disability

Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State of 9 March 2011, Official Report, columns 236-37WH, on disability living allowance, what steps he plans to take to review the responsibilities of care homes to provide mobility for disabled people; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Miller: We announced when the Welfare Reform Bill was introduced that we no longer intend to remove the mobility component of DLA for people in residential care in October 2012.
	DWP officials have been reviewing the available evidence and gathering more to inform a final decision on this policy. We will continue to consider the needs of people living in residential care at the same time as all other DLA recipients as we develop the Personal Independence Payment.
	In the course of reviewing this policy, I have visited several care homes and spoken to residents, their families and care home staff about how mobility support works in practice on the ground.
	Issues affecting care homes have been considered as part of the Law Commission review and are part of the Dilnot review.
	Note
	In England the role of the SCSWIS is fulfilled by the Care Quality Commission and in Wales by the Care Standards Inspectorate for Wales. In Northern Ireland, the role is carried out by the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority.

Child Tax Credit

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what savings his Department expects to arise from the abolition of the disability element of child tax credit and its replacement with provision under universal credit in (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16.

Maria Miller: The disability element of child tax credit is being replaced by additional support for disabled children under universal credit. Any savings will be reinvested in the new structure of additions, which will result in higher levels of support for severely disabled adults and children.

Departmental Manpower

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make it his policy to publish monthly information on changes in the numbers of his Department's employees categorised by (a) seniority, (b) voluntary redundancy, (c) natural wastage and (d) involuntary redundancy.

Chris Grayling: The Government are committed to transparency and the availability of data and are currently exploring options for the more frequent publication of this type of work force management information across the civil service.
	The Department for Work and Pensions will continue to publish its work force management information via the Annual Civil Service Employment Survey, pending the outcome of this review.

Departmental Pensions

Steven Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of his Department's budget he expects to be spent on staff pensions in each of the next five years.

Chris Grayling: In the Department's most recent full year accounts, for 2009-10, we reported employer pension contributions of approximately 13% of total staff costs or 5% of the Departmental Expenditure Limit for Resource. This information is available from our resource accounts:
	www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/resource-acs-2009-10.pdf
	These proportions are unlikely to change much in 2010-11 and 2011-12 but it is difficult to make forecasts beyond that timeframe given the prospective changes to public sector pensions provision, following the recent review by the Independent Public Service Pensions Commission chaired by Lord Hutton.

Departmental Travel

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much each Executive agency of his Department has spent on travel by (a) private hire vehicles, (b) trains, (c) buses, (d) commercial aircraft and (e) private aircraft since May 2010.

Chris Grayling: In line with the Government’s austerity agenda, the Department for Work and Pensions has taken vigorous action to enhance business travel policy. Overall this has produced savings in the region of 45%, measured against last year’s expenditure. The DWP’s business travel policy actively discourages travel, unless the alternatives have been examined and exhausted and where travel is deemed appropriate, encourages the use of the most cost-effective modes of transport. The Department has also implemented a total ban on first-class rail travel.
	The reduction in expenditure has varied across the Executive agencies as shown in the following tables.
	
		
			 Jobcentre Plus 
			  May 2010 to March 2011 (£) May 2009 to March 2010 (£) % change 
			 Taxi 884,453 1,009,866 -12.42 
			 Car Hire 850,800 1,229,736 -30.81 
			 Trains 2,473,716 5,424,431 -54.40 
			 Buses (including coaches) 232,055 356,462 -34.90 
			 Commercial Aircraft 270,440 722,768 -62.58 
			 Private Aircraft 0 0 0.00 
			 Total 4,711,464 8,743,263 -46.11 
		
	
	
		
			 Pension, Disability and Carers Service 
			  May 2010 to March 2011 (£) May 2009 to March 2010 (£) % change 
			 Taxi 123,444 231,248 -46.62 
			 Car Hire 269,307 306,202 -12.05 
			 Trains 977,030 2,478,281 -60.58 
			 Buses (including coaches) 73,964 88,301 -16.24 
			 Commercial Aircraft 196,180 538,575 -63.57 
			 Private Aircraft 0 0 0.00 
			 Total 1,639,925 3,642,607 -54.98 
		
	
	
		
			 Corporate and shared services 
			  May 2010 to March 2011 (£) May 2009 to March 2010 (£) % change 
			 Taxi 279,037 495,863 -43.73 
			 Car Hire 898,477 1,015,493 -11.52 
			 Trains 4,728,769 9,690,079 -51.20 
			 Buses (including coaches) 32,623 46,338 -29.60 
			 Commercial Aircraft 341,500 809,759 -57.83 
			 Private Aircraft 0 0 0.00 
			 Total 6,280,406 12,057,532 -47.91 
		
	
	The total expenditure set out above needs to be seen in the context of a Department with over 100,000 staff based in over 900 locations throughout Great Britain.
	The above expenditure also includes elements of the cost of provision of transport, to meet the Departments’ obligations, under the Disability Discrimination Act.
	It should be noted that in order for the DWP to provide the full scope of services, in line with its key objectives, a certain degree of business travel is required, for example, trainers will travel to multiple sites; fraud investigation staff will conduct surveillance exercises; Jobcentre Plus and Pension, Disability and Carers Service staff carry out outreach activity outside of the Government estate, all in the course of their duties. The use of official cars and taxis by civil servants, including special advisers, is governed by the requirements of the Civil Service Management Code.

Departmental Travel

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much has been spent on travel in respect of (a) each of his Department's executive agencies and (b) the chief executive of each such agency since May 2010.

Chris Grayling: In line with the Government's austerity agenda, the Department for Work and Pensions has taken vigorous action to enhance business travel policy. Overall this is projected to produce savings in the region of 40%, measured against last year's expenditure. The DWP's business travel policy actively discourages travel, unless the alternatives have been examined and exhausted and where travel is deemed appropriate, encourages the use of the most cost effective modes of transport.
	Measuring the expenditure since May 2010, against a comparable period last year illustrates that the expenditure oh travel has fallen significantly by.
	
		
			  Jobcentre Plus  
			  May 2010   –   March 2011 (£) May 2009 - March 2010 (£) Percentage change 
			 All travel 14,737,495 22,946,633 -35.77 
			 Chief executive 3,587 21,776 -83.48 
		
	
	
		
			  Pension, Disability and Carers Service  
			  May 2010 – March 2011 (£) May 2009 - March 2010 (£) Percentage change 
			 All travel 5,011,852 7,027,259 -28.68 
			 Chief executive 10,813 21,971 -50.79 
		
	
	The total expenditure set out above needs to be seen in the context of a Department with over 100,000 staff based in over 900 locations throughout Great Britain.
	The above expenditure also includes elements of the cost of provision of transport, to meet the Departments' obligations, under the Disability Discrimination Act.
	It should be noted that in order for the DWP to provide the full scope of services, in line with its key objectives a certain degree of business travel is required, for example trainers will travel to multiple sites; fraud investigation staff will conduct surveillance exercises; Job Centre Plus staff carry out Outreach activity outside of the Government estate, all in the course of their duties.
	DWP has taken steps to review the business travel policy and gain best value for money where travel is unavoidable. For example the introduction of a ban on first class rail travel has resulted in significant savings.

Disability Living Allowance: Barnsley

Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of people in Barnsley East constituency who will be affected by the planned changes to disability living allowance.

Maria Miller: Support in personal independence payment will be focused on those who face the biggest barriers to independent living. The assessment is being developed and at this stage, therefore, an assessment is not available of the impact changes could have on existing disability living allowance, or future recipients. We are working with disabled people and organisations that represent them on the detailed design and delivery of personal independence payment and the outcomes from this work will be reflected in updates to the impact assessment for this change. We have already announced that personal independence payment will be a non-taxable, non means-tested benefit payable to people in and out of work.
	The number of recipients of disability living allowance in the Barnsley East parliamentary constituency who are 16 to 64 years old are provided in the following table.
	
		
			 Recipients of disability living allowance in the Barnsley East parliamentary constituency, age 16 to 64, November 2010 
			  Number 
			 Age 16 to 64 4,950 
			 Notes: 1. Case load figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Data is for the number of people in receipt of an allowance, and excludes people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example, if they are in hospital. 3. These figures are published at: http://83.244.183.180/100pc/tabtool.html Source: Department for Work and Pensions, Information Directorate, 100% WPLS.

Disability Premium: Shared Housing

Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what proportion of single local housing allowance claimants aged between 25 and 34 years who are in receipt of a disability premium are considered unable to move into shared accommodation;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the cost to the Discretionary Housing Payments budget of supporting individuals aged between 25 and 34 who are affected by the extension of the Shared Accommodation Rate and are unable to move into shared accommodation due to a disability in the comprehensive spending review period.

Steve Webb: As is currently the case for claimants aged under 25, it is not for the Department to set criteria under which claimants in receipt of the disability premium would be considered unable to move in to shared accommodation.
	Claimants who receive the severe disability premium will continue to be exempt from the shared accommodation rate, as will those who have an overnight carer, so it remains the case that people with the most severe disabilities will not be expected to move into shared accommodation.
	Some claimants who receive a disability premium will become entitled to only the shared accommodation rate for housing benefit from January 2012. In our equality impact assessment published on 9 May, it was estimated that once those who are entitled to the severe disability premium are excluded, 18% of single local housing allowance claimants without dependent children in the 25 to 34 age group receive a disability premium.
	Local authorities are best placed to judge whether a claimant's disability or other circumstances mean that shared accommodation is inappropriate, and to make use of discretionary housing payments if necessary. No estimate has been made of the cost to the discretionary housing payment budget.

Employment and Support Allowance

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the cost to the Exchequer of excluding from the 365 day period of eligibility for contributory employment and support allowance any days occurring before the relevant sections of the Welfare Reform Act 2011 are expected to come into force in each of the next five financial years.

Chris Grayling: As part of the Welfare Reform Bill we have set out our intention to introduce a time limit of one year for those claiming contributory Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and who are placed in the Work Related Activity Group (WRAG). The intention is that introduction of the time limit in April 2012 will have an immediate effect on people who are currently claiming contributory ESA as well as new claims after that date. In total the policy is expected to generate annual benefit savings of around £400 million in 2012-13 rising to £1.1 billion by 2014-15.
	If the proposal were to change so that the one year time limit would be calculated from date of implementation for new and existing claims for contributory ESA in the WRAG, this would reduce the expected benefit savings.
	The following table shows the expected change in the annual savings, if this change to the policy were made. It shows that all the expected savings in 2012-13 would be eliminated. That is, there would be a cost to the Exchequer of around £420 million in 2012-13. However, there would be no impact on the expected savings from 2013-14 onwards, as subsequent years will remain unchanged since they represent all cases eligible for time limiting, including those that would have become eligible in earlier years.
	
		
			  2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 
			 Estimated savings from current policy (£ million) 420 780 1,090 1,330 1,380 
			 Change to estimated savings (£ million) -420 0 0 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			 Percentage change from current policy -100 0 0 0 0 
			 Change in the total numbers affected by time limiting -200,000 0 0 0 0 
		
	
	Figures are in cash terms, and are for Great Britain. They are rounded to the nearest £10 million or 10,000 claimants.

Employment and Support Allowance

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many employment and support allowance appeals were submitted by people whose (a) allowance had been stopped and (b) application had been refused in (i) 2009-10 and (ii) the latest period for which figures are available.

Chris Grayling: The Department holds data covering employment and support allowance (ESA) appeals where the outcome is known and so does not cover appeals that are still ongoing. Detailed information on the reason an ESA appeal was made is not recorded centrally, however it can be inferred that where an appeal outcome is recorded on a claim that was found fit for work at the work capability assessment (WCA), the appeal is against this decision. Due to the time it takes for appeals to be submitted to the Tribunals Service and heard, it is likely that there are more appeals that have not yet been heard.
	For new ESA claims starting between April 2009 and February 2010 (the latest data available), 235,400 were found fit for work at the initial work capability assessment (WCA). Of these, 80,200 had had an appeal heard against this decision by February 2011.
	The Department regularly publishes information on employment and support allowance and the initial work capability assessment. The latest report was published in April 2011 and can be found at the following link. Table 3 covers information on appeals heard.
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/workingage/esa_wca/index.php?page=esa_wca_arc
	Note :
	All figures have been rounded to the nearest 100.
	Sources:
	Data on the outcome of the WCA are sourced from Atos Healthcare, data on appeals are sourced from the Tribunals Service.

Employment and Support Allowance

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of contributory employment and support allowance recipients in the work-related activity group in steady state and without additional time limits would be expected to receive the benefit for less than one year.

Maria Miller: It is estimated that in steady state, around 25% of all claimants of contributory employment and support allowance (ESA) who are assessed to be in the work related activity group at initial assessment, will leave ESA within one year, so before the proposed time limit is applied. This does not include people who leave ESA before they are assessed using the work capability assessment and are therefore not assigned to the work related activity group or support group.
	For those who leave contributory ESA as a result of the time limit, it is estimated that around 60%, or approximately 400,000 people, are expected to be fully or partially compensated by income-related ESA, so will retain entitlement to ESA.
	This information is consistent with the modelling underlying the Budget 2011 forecasts. It does not include claims from former incapacity benefit cases as these will all have duration of one year or more from 2015-16 onwards. The modelling is subject to change as more information becomes available on ESA claims with longer durations.

Employment and Support Allowance

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the cost to the Exchequer of restoring eligibility to 365 days of contributory employment and support allowance to each claimant leaving the support group in each of the next five financial years.

Chris Grayling: As part of the Welfare Reform Bill we have set out our intention to introduce a time limit of one year for those claiming contributory employment and support allowance (ESA) and who are placed in the Work Related Activity Group (WRAG). This is expected to generate annual benefit savings of £400 million in 2012-13 rising to £1.1 billion by 2014-15.
	If the proposal were to change to allow claimants receiving contributory employment and support allowance (ESA) and who move in and out of the Support Group, to start a fresh 365 day period each time they move back to the Work Related Activity Group, this would change the estimated benefit savings.
	In this case, the financial effect of the change is difficult to model, partly because there are so few cases that move from the WRAG to the Support Group and back to the WRAG.

Employment and Support Allowance

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the cost to the Exchequer of excluding from the 365 day period of eligibility for contributory employment and support allowance any days that the claimant spends in the assessment phase in each of the next five financial years.

Chris Grayling: As part of the Welfare Reform Bill we have set out our intention to introduce a time limit of one year for those claiming contributory employment and support allowance (ESA) and who are placed in the Work Related Activity Group (WRAG). The intention is that time spent in the assessment phase will count towards the 365 day period of the time limit. In total the policy is expected to generate annual benefit savings of £400 million in 2012-13 rising to £1.1 billion by 2014-15.
	If the proposal were to change so that the time limit period is extended by the length of time it takes for each person to undergo a work capability assessment to determine entitlement to ESA, this would reduce the expected benefit savings.
	The following table shows the expected change in the annual savings if the time spent in the assessment phase were excluded from the, period of the time limit. It shows estimated overall costs to the Exchequer of around £200 million by 2014-15.
	
		
			  2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 
			 Estimated savings from current policy (£ million) 420 780 1,090 1,330. 1,380 
			 Change to estimated savings (£ million) -150 -20 -20 -20 -10 
			 % change from current policy -36 -2 -1 -1 -1 
			 Change in the total numbers affected by time limiting -80,000 -10,000 -10,000 -10,000 -10,000 
			 Note: Figures are in cash terms, and are for Great Britain. They are rounded to the nearest £10 million or 10,000 claimants.

Employment and Support Allowance: Winchester

Steve Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) claimants received both contributory and income-related employment and support allowance, (b) applicants were refused employment and support allowance following assessment and (c) employment and support appeals were lodged by applicants in Winchester constituency in each quarter in the last three years.

Chris Grayling: The number of people receiving both contributory and income-related employment and support allowance (ESA) in the Winchester constituency is provided in Table 1. This information can be found using the “Tabulation Tool” on the departmental website at:
	http://83.244.183.180/100pc/tabtool.html
	Note that ESA was introduced in October 2008, so quarterly data are available from November 2008 onwards.
	
		
			 Table 1: Caseload receiving both contributory and income related ESA in Winchester constituency 
			 Quarter Caseload 
			 2010  
			 November 30 
			 August 20 
			 May 20 
			 February 30 
			   
			 2009  
			 November 30 
			 August 30 
			 May 20 
			 February 20 
			   
			 2008  
			 November 0 
		
	
	Table 2 presents data on the number of ESA claims (of all payment types) in the Winchester local authority area found fit for work at the initial work capability assessment (WCA) whose claims started in the periods shown. Information is not available for parliamentary constituencies so data are presented for the Winchester local authority area. Data on new claims for ESA are available for claims starting up to August 2010.
	The table also presents data on the number of appeals that have been heard by the Tribunals Service as at February 2011. Data on appeals are available for claims starting up to February 2010. Due to the time it takes for appeals to be submitted to the Tribunals Service and heard, it is likely that there are more appeals that have not yet been heard.
	
		
			 Table 2: Numbers of claims starting in the period shown found fit for work where an appeal has been heard by the Tribunals Service for the Winchester local authority area 
			 Quarter Fit for work Appeals 
			 2010   
			 August 40 — 
			 May 50 — 
			 February 30 0 
			    
			 2009   
			 November 40 20 
			 August 40 20 
			 May 40 20 
			 February 40 20 
			    
			 2008   
			 November 10 10 
		
	
	The Department regularly publishes information on employment and support allowance and the initial work capability assessment. The latest report was published in April 2011 and can be found at the following link:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/workingage/esa_wca/index.php?page=esa_wca_arc
	Caseload data are taken from the Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study. Data on the outcome of the WCA are sourced from departmental administrative data and Atos Healthcare. Data on appeals are sourced from the Tribunals Service. All figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.

Employment: Young People

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent assessment his Department has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Community Task Force element of the Young Person's Guarantee.

Chris Grayling: No assessment of the cost-effectiveness of the Community Task Force element of the Young Person's Guarantee has yet been made.
	The Department is planning to assess the feasibility of conducting an impact assessment of the Community Task Force later this year.

Incapacity Benefit

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average duration of an incapacity benefit claim was in each year since 1997.

Maria Miller: Most recent figures show that more than 2 million people are in receipt of incapacity benefit (IB) and more than 1.4 million people have been in receipt of IB for over five years.
	Since October 2008 incapacity benefit has been replaced by employment support allowance (ESA) for all new claimants. We are currently reassessing existing IB recipients for ESA—full roll-out of national reassessment began on 4 April 2011.
	
		
			 Table 1: Incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance claimants by duration of current claim: Great Britain and abroad, August 1997 to August 2010 
			   Duration of current claim  
			 As at August: All cases Up to three months Three months up to six months Six months up to one year One year and up to two years Two years and up to five years Five years and over Unknown duration 
			 1997 2,838,700 184,900 157,500 233,800 348,800 n/a n/a 1,913,700 
			 1998 2,769,000 156,800 128,800 206,600 357,500 n/a n/a 1,919,300 
			 1999 2,732,500 165,600 140,060 206,140 309,600 n/a n/a 1,911,100 
			 2000 2,756,510 168,080 134,640 195,830 315,720 735,590 1,206,650 * 
			 2001 2,805,450 156,030 134,680 204,300 301,440 717,200 1,291,810 * 
			 2002 2,811,430 154,360 147,720 186,790 291,270 655,930 1,375,360 * 
			 2003 2,819,050 152,610 125,490 184,510 296,980 638,300 1,421,150 * 
			 2004 2,817,010 147,070 123,370 179,760 276,150 630,330 1,460,330 * 
			 2005 2,767,740 136,210 113,260 163,460 260,060 612,010 1,482,740 * 
			 2006 2,724,980 133,250 107,550 155,570 243,260 582,710 1,502,640 * 
			 2007 2,683,160 139,570 113,100 162,840 231,010 532,010 1,504,630 * 
			 2008 2,632,000 140,980 107,710 156,280 238,080 497,440 1,491,500 * 
			 2009 2,299,580 9,590 11,190 65,470 241,860 490,920 1,480,540 * 
			 2010 2,082,570 5,950 6,280 12,980 65,760 508,240 1,483,360 * 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 2: Employment and support allowance claimants by duration of current claim: Great Britain and abroad, August 2009 and August 2010 
			  Duration of current claim  
			 As at August: All cases Up to three months Three months up to six months Six months up to one year One year and up to two years Two years and up to five years Five years and over Unknown duration 
			 2009 374,440 151,320 119,920 103,200 n/a n/a n/a * 
			 2010 563,980 151,400 112,060 146,290 154,230 n/a n/a * 
			 n/a = Not applicable or not available. * = Nil or negligible. Notes: 1. Incapacity benefit was introduced in April 1995. The start dates of claims transferred from invalidity benefit are not reliable, therefore breakdowns of longer durations are not available until August 2000. 2. Figures from 5% samples have been uprated using 100% WPLS totals. 3. Figures from 5% samples have been rounded to the nearest 100 and 100% figures to the nearest 10. Some additional disclosure has been applied. 4. Totals may not sum due to rounding. 5. From 6 April 2001, no new claims to severe disablement allowance were accepted. In addition, incapacity benefit was replaced by employment and support allowance (ESA) for new claims from 27 October 2008. 6. Data is available on the Department’s tabulation tool at: http://83.244.183.180/100pc/tabtool.html Source: 100% Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS) (from August 1999) DWP Information Directorate 5% samples (before August 1999)

Incapacity Benefit

Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many applicants for incapacity benefit withdrew their application before a final decision had been made in the five years prior to the introduction of the employment and support allowance.

Maria Miller: This information requested is not available for incapacity benefit claimants prior to the introduction of employment and support allowance (ESA).
	The data systems the Department uses to monitor and publish information on the work capability assessment for ESA claims were not in place until the latter half of 2008, just before ESA was introduced in October 2008. We cannot produce equivalent information on the number of incapacity benefit claims which ceased before assessment was complete in the five years prior to the introduction of ESA.

Incapacity Benefit: Medical Examinations

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of incapacity benefit reassessments were conducted by home visit in each assessment centre area in the latest period for which figures are available.

Chris Grayling: Between 15 March 2011 and 19 May 2011 incapacity benefit reassessments were undertaken by domiciliary visits in the following assessment centre areas:
	Of the 617 exams completed in Scotland, 14 (2.27%) domiciliary visits were made.
	Of the 556 exams completed in Manchester, 10 (1.77%) domiciliary visits were made.
	Of the 28 exams completed in Wales, one (3.57%) domiciliary visit has been made.
	No domiciliary visits were undertaken for incapacity benefit reassessment in any other area of the country.

Incapacity Benefit: Medical Examinations

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will publish the criteria for the conduct of incapacity benefit reassessment home visits.

Chris Grayling: I believe that this question is seeking details of the criteria used to determine whether an incapacity benefit reassessment home visit is appropriate. This answer is based on that assumption.
	Prior to a medical appointment, ATOS Healthcare undertake a “pre-board” assessment of the customer questionnaire (ESA50). This will determine, in the first instance whether or not the customer should be assessed by a Health Care Professional (HCP). Where an assessment is necessary, the HCP will consider, based on the ESA50, whether the customer should attend a medical assessment or whether a home visit is appropriate.
	In making this determination the HCP will use their professional judgment to consider the customer’s medical condition and other further medical evidence available to them. This can result in one of the following courses of action:
	home visit is agreed;
	HCP requests further information from the customer’s GP to inform the decision; or
	home visit is declined and an appointment is made for the customer to attend a medical assessment.
	In the event of a home visit being declined the customer may contact the ATOS Healthcare Virtual Contact Centre to ask that this be reconsidered. ATOS Healthcare will inform the customer that they should provide evidence from their GP to substantiate their case for a home visit. This further evidence is assessed by the ATOS Healthcare HCP and if appropriate a home visit is arranged.

Incapacity Benefit: Oxford West and Abingdon

Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Oxford West and Abingdon constituency have been in receipt of incapacity benefits for more than (a) six months, (b) 12 months, (c) 18 months, (d) two years, (e) three years and (f) five years.

Maria Miller: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			 Incapacity benefit (IB)/severe disablement allowance (SDA) and employment and support allowance (ESA) claimants in Oxford West and Abingdon parliamentary constituency by duration on benefit—August 2010 
			  IB/SDA ESA 
			 Total 1,570 480 
			 Up to 6 months 10 230 
			 Over 6 months to 12 months 10 140 
			 Over 12 months to 18 months 10 80 
			 Over 18 months to 2 years 40 40 
			 Over 2 years to 3 years 200 n/a 
			 Over 3 years to 5 years 270 n/a 
			 Over 5 years 1,040 n/a 
			 n/a = not applicable Notes: 1. Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Totals may not sum due to rounding. 3. Constituencies used are for the Westminster Parliament 2010. 4. Incapacity benefit was replaced by employment support allowance (ESA) from October 2008. Source:  DWP Information Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study

Incapacity Benefit: Peterborough

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many individuals in Peterborough city council area were claiming incapacity benefit as a result of being diagnosed with a mental health condition in each year since 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Miller: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			 Number of incapacity benefit (IB)/severe disablement allowance (SDA) and employment and support allowance (ESA) claimants in Peterborough local authority: November 2001 to November 2010 
			  IB/SDA ESA 
			 Date Total claimants Claimants with mental and behavioural disorders Total claimants Claimants with mental and behavioural disorders 
			 November 2001 6,650 2,110 n/a n/a 
			 November 2002 6,800 2,210 n/a n/a 
			 November 2003 6,810 2,280 n/a n/a 
			 November 2004 7,020 2,420 n/a n/a 
			 November 2005 6,990 2,460 n/a n/a 
			 November 2006 7,030 2,570 n/a n/a 
			 November 2007 7,320 2,780 n/a n/a 
			 November 2008 7,370 2,840 160 n/a 
			 November 2009 6,500 2,580 1,460 n/a 
			 November 2010 5,960 2,380 2,110 730 
			 n/a = not available Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10/ 2. To qualify for incapacity benefit (IB), claimants have to undertake a medical assessment of incapacity for work called a personal capability assessment. Under the employment and support allowance regime, new claimants have to undergo the work capability assessment. From April 2011 incapacity benefit recipients have begun also to undertake this assessment. The medical condition recorded on the claim form does not itself confer entitlement to incapacity benefit or employment and support allowance. So, for example, a decision on entitlement for a customer claiming IB or ESA on the basis of mental and behavioural disorders would be based on their ability to carry out the range of activities assessed by the personal/work capability assessment. 3. Data include people in receipt of benefit and also those who fail the contributions conditions but receive a national insurance credit, i.e. ‘credits only cases’. 4. Incapacity benefit was replaced by employment support allowance (ESA) from October 2008. 5. Data by medical condition for ESA is only available from 2010. 6. Data are published on www.nomisweb.co.uk Source: DWP Information Directorate 100% WPLS.

Industrial Health and Safety

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what guidance the Health and Safety Executive issues to employers on temperatures in the workplace above 30 degrees in order to limit the long- and short-term physical and psychological effects of such temperatures on workers.

Chris Grayling: Guidance on the HSE website covers situations of high temperature where heat stress may occur. The guidance does not specify a specific temperature at which control measures should be put into place.

Industrial Health and Safety: Scotland

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the effects of reductions in the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) budget on the number of HSE inspectors working in Scotland over the comprehensive spending review period.

Chris Grayling: At 1 April 2011, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) had 173(1) full-time equivalent (FTE) inspectors based in Scotland, who work either for all or part of their time in Scotland or its offshore waters. By 31 March 2012, the number is forecast to be 183(1) FTE inspectors, subject to the outcome of approved recruitment and natural turnover. The net increase reflects the planned increase in inspectors regulating offshore oil and gas.
	The HSE also has other specialist inspectors who, although based elsewhere in Great Britain, work across national boundaries, including in Scotland. Their effort is not usually planned or accounted for on a nation-by-nation basis and they are not included in the numbers above.
	My statement of 21 March 2011, "Good Health and Safety, Good for Everyone" announced a number of changes to the health and safety system in Great Britain. HSE is still undertaking the necessary planning and work to implement these changes and projections of staff numbers beyond 2012-13 are not available at present.
	(1) The figures are rounded to the nearest whole number.

Industrial Injuries

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of people with illnesses (a) caused or (b) exacerbated by exposure to high temperatures in the course of their employment.

Chris Grayling: There is insufficient evidence to allow a reliable estimate to be made. HSE carried out a survey into high workplace temperatures in 2009, to which 2,933 responses were submitted. This offered no evidence of significant numbers of illnesses caused or exacerbated by exposure to high temperatures in the course of their employment. At the time of this survey, HSE contacted the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council, as they monitor scientific reports and publications about occupational diseases. They reported that no research or evidence on the effect of heat at work on certain occupations has been brought to their attention.

Means-Tested Benefits: Peterborough

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many children in each electoral ward of the Peterborough City Council area lived in households in receipt of means-tested benefits in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Miller: There were 8,620 children aged 15 and under in Peterborough at May 2010 who were living in households where a parent or guardian was claiming income support, jobseeker's allowance, income-based employment and support allowance or pension credit. The breakdown by electoral ward of the Peterborough city council area is in the table.
	
		
			 Ward name Total children aged 15 and under 
			 Barnack 30 
			 Bretton North 650 
			 Bretton South 225 
			 Central 615 
			 Dogsthorpe 715 
			 East 765 
			 Eye and Thorney 150 
			 Fletton 415 
			 Glinton and Wittering 75 
			 Newborough 65 
			 North 380 
			 Northborough 30 
			 Orton Longueville 875 
			 Orton Waterville 295 
			 Orton with Hampton 650 
			 Park 385 
			 Paston 640 
			 Ravensthorpe 575 
			 Stanground Central 325 
			 Stanground East 135 
			 Walton 185 
			 Werrington North 225 
			 Werrington South 85 
			 West 130 
			 Source: DWP Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100% data and HMRC Child Benefit administrative data. Total may not sum due to rounding.

Pensioners: Bexleyheath

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent estimate he has made of the number of pensioners in Bexleyheath and Crayford who have received (a) winter fuel allowance and (b) free television licences in the last 12 months.

Steve Webb: Winter fuel payment information is available in the document winter fuel payment recipients 2009-10 by parliamentary constituencies and gender. This is available in the Commons Library and on the internet at:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=wfp
	The information on free television licences for people aged 75 or over is not held by Government. Department for Culture, Media and Sport have policy responsibility for free TV licences. However I understand that free TV licences are issued by TV Licensing as agents for the BBC. The BBC does not collate information on licence holders aged 75 or over by geographical area.

Poverty: Children

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of children were living in poverty in each of the last 30 years; and what estimate he has made of the number and proportion of children likely to be living in poverty in each of the next four years.

Maria Miller: Estimates of the number and proportion of children living in poverty are published in the Households Below Average Income (HBAI) series. HBAI uses household income adjusted (or ‘equivalised’) for household size and composition, to provide a proxy for standard of living.
	The latest year of data which are available is 2009-10. The following table shows the number and proportion of children with income below 60% of contemporary median income, before housing costs (BHC) in each of the last 30 years.
	Modelled tax and benefit reforms announced since Budget 2010 may have a small reduction in child poverty in 2011-12 and 2012-13; however given the uncertainty around these types of estimates, this change may be on the edge of statistical significance.
	
		
			 Number and proportion of children falling below 60% of contemporary median income, before housing costs (BHC) 
			 Publication Period Number of children 
			   Million Percentage 
			 FES (UK) 1979 1.8 13 
			  1981 2.6 19 
			  1987 2.8 23 
			  1988 and 1989 3.1 25 
			  1990 and 1991 3.4 27 
			  1991 and 1992 3.5 28 
			  1992 and 1993 3.8 29 
			  1993-94 to 1994-95 3.6 28 
			     
			 FRS (GB) 1994-95 3.2 25 
			  1995-96 3.0 24 
			  1996-97 3.4 27 
			  1997-98 3.4 27 
			     
			 FRS (UK) 1998-99 3.4 26 
			  1999-2000 3.4 26 
			  2000-01 3.1 23 
			  2001-02 3.0 23 
			  2002-03 2.9 23 
			  2003-04 2.9 22 
			  2004-05 2.7 21 
			  2005-06 2.8 22 
			  2006-07 2.9 22 
			  2007-08 2.9 23 
			  2008-09 2.8 22 
			  2009-10 2.6 20 
		
	
	
		
			 Notes: 1. These statistics are based on Households Below Average Income (HBAI) data sourced from the Family Resources Survey (FRS) and Family Expenditure Survey (FES). The FRS and FES uses disposable household income, adjusted using modified OECD equivalisation factors for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living. 2. All estimates are based on survey data and are therefore subject to uncertainty. Small differences should be treated with caution as these will be affected by sampling error and variability in non-response. 3. The reference period for Households Below Average Income figures are single financial years. 4. Numbers of children in low-income households have been rounded to the nearest 100,000, while proportions have been rounded to the nearest percentage point. 5. These statistics are based on incomes Before Housing Costs. 6. Relative poverty is defined as children living in households with less than 60% of contemporary median household income. 7. FRS figures are for Great Britain up to 1997/98, and for the United Kingdom from 1998-99, with estimates for Northern Ireland imputed for the years 1998/99 through 2001-02. The reference period for FRS figures is single financial years. 8. FES figures are for the United Kingdom. These are single calendar years for 1979, 1981, and 1987; two combined calendar years from 1988 to 1993 and two financial years combined from 1993-94 to 1994-95. 9. These statistics are publicly available in the Households Below Average Income Report on the DWP website: http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=hbai Source: Households Below Average Income, DWP

Remploy: Manpower

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what financial assistance he plans to provide for the supported employment Remploy factories in each of the next four financial years;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the number of supported employment Remploy factories which will continue to be in operation in (a) Glasgow, (b) Scotland and (c) the UK in each of the next four years.

Maria Miller: There are two Remploy factories in Glasgow located at Clydebank and Springburn, nine in Scotland and 54 in the UK.
	The coalition Government confirmed, despite severe fiscal constraints, as part of the spending review that Remploy's operational budget for the five-year modernisation plan from 2008-09 to 2012-13 remains protected at £555 million.
	Remploy are operating in challenging economic conditions and are rebalancing the role of the Employment Services arm of their business and factories to ensure they keep within the funding available, This includes a programme of voluntary redundancies to around 30,000 staff in Remploy factories of which around 2,500 are supported employees. Remploy have received over 700 applications from factory staff including over 500 supported employees. Remploy will not accept any redundancies that impact on factory operations and no factory will close as a result of this.
	An independent review of the support the Government provide to disabled people who want to work, including the support provided by Remploy, will be published in the summer.

Retirement: Age

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the savings to the Exchequer which would result from an increase in the state pension age from 65 to 66 years between April 2020 and April 2021.

Steve Webb: Increasing the state pension age from 65 to 66 between April 2020 and April 2021 would result in savings of £21.7 billion (in 2020-21 prices) between 2020-21 and 2025-26. This is significantly less than the savings of £30 billion (in 2020-21 prices) between 2016-17 and 2025-26 resulting from the Pensions Bill 2011 timetable.

Retirement: Age

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the savings to the Exchequer which would accrue from implementing the increase in the state pension age to 67 years from 2025.

Steve Webb: The savings which would accrue from increasing the state pension age gradually to 67 between 2025 and 2027 are £59.3 billion (in 2010-11 prices) between 2025-26 and 2035-36.

Retirement: Age

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  if he will estimate the number of (a) women and (b) men who would be affected by increasing the state pension age for both men and women from 65 to 66 years between 2020 and 2021 and then increasing it gradually to 67 years by 2025;
	(2)  if he will estimate the maximum additional time for a (a) man and (b) women to wait to receive a state pension in the case where the state pension age for both men and women increased from 65 to 66 years between 2020 and 2021 and then increased gradually to 67 years by 2025;
	(3)  if he will estimate the savings which would accrue to the Exchequer from increasing the state pension for both men and women from 65 to 66 years between 2020 and 2021 and then gradually to 67 by 2025.

Steve Webb: Assuming that the increase to 67 would occur gradually between 2023 and 2025, the number of women and men affected by an increase in the State Pension age from 65 to 66 between 2020 and 2021 and then to 67 by 2025 would be 6.4 million and 6.3 million, respectively.
	The maximum delay for both men and women compared to the currently legislated timetable in the case where the state pension age for both men and women increased from 65 to 66 between 2020 and 2021 and then increased over two years to 67 by 2025 would be 23 months.
	The savings which would accrue from increasing the state pension age from 65 to 66 between 2020 and 2021 and then gradually to 67 between 2023 and 2025 are £32.2 billion (in 2010-11 prices) between 2020-21 and 2025-26, and £58 billion (in 2010-11 prices) between 2026-27 and 2035-36.
	This timetable would result in savings of just 2.2 billion (in 2010-11 prices) between 2016-17 and 2020-21. This is significantly lower than the savings of £10.5 billion (in 2010-11 prices) during the same period resulting from the Pensions Bill 2011 timetable.

Retirement: Age

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate his Department has made of the number of women who will work for longer before reaching pension age in each of the 10 years following the date of implementation of such changes.

Steve Webb: The information requested is in the following table. This is an expanded version of the table presented in the equality impact assessment which accompanies the Pensions Bill 2011 (page 40 of annex A), which includes years 2017 and 2019.
	
		
			 Impact on numbers in employment, compared to legislated timetable; women aged 55 to 66 
			  Number increase 
			 2016 109,648 
			 2017 117,274 
			 2018 120,013 
			 2019 122,848 
			 2020 132,115 
			 2021 125,305 
			 2022 113,936 
			 2023 91,992 
			 2024 71,736 
			 2025 48,713 
			 2026 23,932 
		
	
	The modelling assumes the rises in state pension age beyond 66 remain unchanged.
	The announcement of an increase in state pension age is assumed to increase the age at which males would exit the labour market from age 55 onwards; for instance, a 66-year-old man would adopt the exit rate from the labour market currently adopted by a 65-year-old. Women’s exit rates are assumed to converge to men’s exit rates as a result of state pension age equalisation. This modelling was done by DWP using HM Treasury’s cohort employment model.

Separation

Sheila Gilmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much he expects to allocate from the annual budget for information and support through the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission to supplement grant funding to relationship support services with respect to family separation in the next four years.

Maria Miller: As set out in the Government consultation on child maintenance, previous administration have not before had a co-ordinated Government approach to family support. We are working with Department for Education, Ministry of Justice and devolved Administrations to build evidence of what support works for different families. Then we will be able to make sure resources are being used to best effect.
	The Department for Education is investing £30 million in relationship support services over the next four years, including their grant funding to voluntary and community sector organisations to support separating couples. We will be working with the Department for Education to ensure the Government approach is as joined up as possible. DWP currently spends around £5.6 million a year on information and support provided through the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission.
	The Government consultation on child maintenance ended on 7 April and we are currently considering the responses received. We plan to publish the Government response to this consultation in July.

Social Fund

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what funding his Department provided to social fund (a) budgeting loans, (b) crisis loans and (c) community grants in each of the last five years.

Steve Webb: HM Treasury allocates funding for the Social Fund. Over the past five years the discretionary fund (which comprises budgeting loans, community care grants and crisis loans) has been allocated new annually managed expenditure funding as follows:
	
		
			 HM Treasury allocated money 
			 £ million 
			  Annually managed expenditure Additional annual managed expenditure for loans Total annual managed expenditure for loans 
			 2010-11 178.2 141.5 319.70 
			 2009-10 178.2 121.9 300.10 
			 2008-09 178.2 40 218.20 
			 2007-08 178.2 50 228.20 
			 2006-07 178.2 120 298.20 
		
	
	
		
			 Allocation between elements of the discretionary social fund 
			 £ million 
			  Amount allocated to CCGs Amount allocated to Contingency reserve Amount allocated to loans 
			 2010-11 141 1 177.7 
			 2009-10 141 1 158.1 
			 2008-09 141 1 76.2 
			 2007-08 141 1 86.2 
			 2006-07 141 1 156.2 
			 Note: Additional money was given in 2010-11 and 2009-10 to accommodate increased applications during the recession. Additional money was given in 2008-09, 2007-08 and 2006-07 to accommodate changes to the scheme in 2006-07. This information is taken from previous Social Fund annual reports. Remaining loans are funded through recoveries of existing loans within each year.

Social Security Benefits

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the cost to the Exchequer of exempting from the total household benefit cap households living in social housing as defined by section 68 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 in each of the next five financial years.

Chris Grayling: The spending review 2010 announced that from 2013 we will introduce a cap on the total amount of benefit that working-age people can receive so that households on out-of-work benefits will no longer receive more in welfare payments than the average weekly wage for working households. The benefit cap is intended to promote fairness between those in and out of work and to increase incentives for people to move into work or increase their hours of employment.
	On its introduction we estimate that household benefit payments will be capped at around £500 per week for couple and lone parent households and around £350 per week for single adult households.
	If the benefit cap were applied as described in the spending review the savings to the Exchequer are estimated to be £225 million in 2013-14 and £270 million in 2014-15.
	If households in social housing were exempt from the benefit cap, savings would fall to approximately £70 million in 2013-14 and £80 million in 2014-15. Figures for 2015-16 and beyond are not available.
	Analysis of those affected by the benefit cap has been modelled using survey data—as such there is a degree of uncertainty around the results.

Social Security Benefits

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the cost to the Exchequer of exempting from the total household benefit cap households where someone is owed a duty to be supported with interim or temporary accommodation under sections 188, 190, 193 or 200 of the Housing Act 1996 in each of the next five financial years.

Chris Grayling: The information requested is not available.
	The costing model used to estimate the effects of the benefit cap is based on data from the 2008-09 Family Resources Survey (FRS). The FRS does not record information on whether a household is owed a duty to be supported with interim or temporary accommodation under sections 188, 190, 193 or 200 of the Housing Act 1996.

Social Security Benefits

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the additional cost to the Exchequer of exempting from the total household benefit cap households where someone has left work due to redundancy or illness or for other reasons relating to the care of a child in each of the next five financial years.

Chris Grayling: The information requested is not available.
	The costing model used to estimate the effects of the benefit cap is based on data from the 2008-09 Family Resources Survey (FRS). The FRS does not record information on whether an out-of-work member of a household left work due to redundancy or illness or for other reasons relating to the care of a child.

Social Security Benefits

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the cost to the Exchequer of exempting from the total household benefit cap households where no member has received a reasonable offer of a job, within the previous (a) one year and (b) three years in each of the next five financial years.

Chris Grayling: The information requested is not available.
	The costing model used to estimate the effects of the benefit cap is based on data from the 2008-09 Family Resources Survey (FRS). The FRS does not record information on whether a member of a household has received a reasonable offer of a job within the previous (a) one year and (b) three years.

Social Security Benefits

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate (a) the level of the household benefit cap and (b) the cost to the Exchequer of setting the cap at the level of estimated earnings plus any in-work benefits that an average earner might expect to receive in each of the next five financial years.

Chris Grayling: The spending review 2010 announced that from 2013 the Government will introduce a cap on the total amount of benefit that working-age people can receive so that households on out-of-work benefits will no longer receive more in welfare payments than the average weekly wage for working households.
	On its introduction we estimate that household benefit payments will be capped at around £500 per week for couple and lone parent households and around £350 per week for single adult households.
	If the benefit cap is applied as announced the savings to the Exchequer are estimated to be £225 million in 2013-14 and £270 million in 2014-15.
	We estimate that in 2013-14 the average amount of in-work benefit received by working age households at the average earnings level will be approximately £20 per week.
	If household benefit payments are capped £20 per week higher than outlined in the spending review 2010, at £520 per week for couple and lone parent households and at £370 per week for single adult households, savings to the Exchequer would fall to £170 million in 2013-14 and £210 million in 2014-15. Figures for 2015-16 and beyond are not available.

Social Security Benefits

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the cost to the Exchequer of excluding from the amount liable for the total household benefit cap (a) housing benefit, (b) temporary accommodation costs and (c) any amount of universal credit paid in respect of housing costs in each of the next five financial years.

Chris Grayling: On its introduction we estimate that household benefit payments will be capped at around £500 per week for couple and lone parent households and around £350 per week for single adult households.
	If the benefit cap were applied as announced the savings to the Exchequer are estimated to be £225 million in 2013-14, £270 million in 2014-15 and £270 million in 2015-16.
	Estimates suggest that excluding (a) housing benefit from the benefit cap would reduce savings to less than £20 million in 2013-14 and 2014-15. Figures are not available for 2015-16 and beyond.
	Information on (b) temporary accommodation is not available. The costing model used to estimate the effects of the benefit cap is based on data from the 2008-09 Family Resources Survey (FRS). The FRS does not record information on whether a household is in temporary accommodation.
	Note that estimates above are based on the current benefit system including changes announced in the spending review 2010, but excluding universal credit.
	Information on section (c) is not available as the estimated savings from the benefit cap in universal credit will depend upon final detailed design issues regarding the treatment of in-work households.

Social Security Benefits

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the additional cost to the public purse of exempting from the total household benefit cap households that live in supported or sheltered accommodation in each of the next five years.

Chris Grayling: The information requested is not available.
	The costing model used to estimate the effects of the benefit cap is based on data from the 2008-09 Family Resources Survey (FRS). The FRS does not record information on whether the household lives in supported or sheltered accommodation.

Social Security Benefits

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the additional cost to the public purse of exempting from the total household benefit cap households that have been offered accommodation under the prevention and relief of homelessness powers and duties under part 7 of the Housing Act 1996 in each of the next five financial years.

Chris Grayling: The information requested is not available.
	The costing model used to estimate the effects of the benefit cap is based on data from the 2008-09 Family Resources Survey (FRS). The FRS does not record information on whether a member of a household has been offered accommodation under the prevention and relief of homelessness powers and duties under part 7 of the Housing Act 1996.

Social Security Benefits: Appeals

Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many benefit appeals were awaiting referral to the first-tier tribunal on 23 May 2011.

Chris Grayling: The information is not available in the form requested. While DWP counts the overall numbers of appeals lodged, a number of these appeals will not be referred to the first-tier tribunal. Appeals lodged with the DWP can lapse if the disputed decision is revised in the customer's favour upon reconsideration, or the customer can decide to withdraw their appeal prior to it being referred and in certain circumstances appeals can be struck out.
	The following table provides the latest count of appeals outstanding with DWP. The count is conducted at the end of each month so this data is correct as of 30 April 2011.
	
		
			 Appeals outstanding in DWP 
			  Number 
			 Bereavement Benefit(1) 70 
			 Disablement Benefit(1) 70 
			 Employment and Support Allowance(1) 29,390 
			 Incapacity Benefit(1) 2,130 
			 Income Support(1) 2,100 
			 Jobseekers Allowance(1) 4,310 
			 Maternity Allowance(1) 40 
			 Social Fund(1) 330 
			 Pension Credit(2) 1,760 
			 State Pension(2) 240 
			 Winter Fuel(2) 80 
			 International Pension Centre (Working Age)(2) 30 
			 Disability Living Allowance(1) 9,460 
			 Attendance Allowance(1) 420 
			 Carers Allowance(1) 700 
			 Total 51,130 
			 Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. (1) Source—Management Information System Programme (MISP). MISP is the departmental performance management, data capture and reporting tool. (2) Source—Pension Service Appeals Team Database 
		
	
	The data is a count of all outstanding decisions in DWP on 30 April 2011 so includes all appeals that will be referred to the First-tier Tribunal and appeals that may be cleared though DWP internal processes. Individuals may appeal against each appealable decision they receive so could have more than one appeal, against decisions for more than one benefit.
	The information quoted is internal management information for internal DWP use only and does not form part of the official statistics outputs that are released by the Department in accordance with the UK Statistics Authority's Code of Practice.
	Housing benefit and council tax benefit are administered by individual local authorities. Data on outstanding appeals for these benefits is not held by DWP.

Social Security Benefits: Mental Health

Bob Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of sanctions in the benefits system for people with mental health conditions.

Maria Miller: The Department keeps sanctions in the benefits system under continual review to ensure effectiveness and appropriateness. Safeguards are in place to ensure vulnerable claimants, such as those with mental health conditions, are not sanctioned inappropriately. Where necessary this includes conducting home visits before a sanction is considered. These safeguards will continue. Support for those in the ESA support group, who have the most severe conditions, will remain unconditional.
	The role of sanctions has been reviewed as part of our programme of welfare reform. For the first time, our employment programmes will be truly personalised. Advisers in the Work Programme and Jobcentre Plus will devise tailored plans for each claimant, taking account of their circumstances, including the effects of any mental health condition. We believe that the changes we are making to conditionality will enable us to better match the requirements on an individual to their particular circumstances. This should benefit those with mental health conditions, particularly conditions that fluctuate.

State Retirement Pensions

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects the proposed flat-rate state pension to come into effect.

Steve Webb: The consultation paper, ‘A State Pension for the 21st Century’, consults on two options for reforming the state pension system for future pensioners and how future changes to the state pension age should be managed.
	Without wishing to pre-empt the consultation process, we would currently imagine introducing a reformed state pension for new pensioners at some point in the next Parliament.

Unemployed People: Work Experience

Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which sectors will be covered by his proposed sector-based work academies apart from the hospitality and leisure sectors.

Chris Grayling: Sector-based work academies will be part of the package of additional support options which Jobcentre Plus can use to help people into work prior to referral to the Work programme. It is intended that sector-based work academies will be a flexible model that can be tailored to meet sector and local needs. Within this model it is expected sector-based work academies will be established in sectors with high volumes of current local vacancies—with participants receiving a guaranteed job interview upon completion of the pre-employment training and work experience placement.
	We will look to establish some of the initial sector-based work academies in the retail and hospitality sectors. However, it will be up to Jobcentre Plus, working in partnership with local employers and training providers, to determine the most appropriate offer to meet the need of the local labour market. Therefore the sectors covered by sector-based work academies will not be prescribed.

Unemployed People: Work Experience

Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what progress has been made on preparations for the introduction of sector-based work academies in August 2011; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: Jobcentre Plus is responsible for the delivery of sector-based work academies and preparations for implementation in England from August 2011 are underway. Jobcentre Plus is working in partnership with Skills Funding Agency at national level, and further education colleges and training providers at local level to ensure that the required training provision is in place from August, and engaging with employers at national and local level to identify suitable work experience placements and job opportunities.

Unemployed People: Work Experience

Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has for the geographical distribution of sector-based work academies; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: It is intended that sector-based work academies will be a flexible model that can be tailored to meet sector and local needs. As a locally-driven initiative, the geographical distribution of sector-based work academies will depend on the appetite of employers, training providers and claimants across the Jobcentre Plus districts.

Unemployment: Females

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  if he will take steps to prevent women in employment becoming unemployed before they reach the state pension age;
	(2)  whether his Department undertook research on the effects of (a) unemployment and (b) planned changes to the pension age on (i) men and (ii) women as part of the Age Positive campaign; and if he will make a statement.

Steve Webb: The Government’s Age Positive initiative provides guidance for employers on the business benefits of retaining older male and female workers up to and beyond state pension age. The Government are working in partnership with key business leaders in the main occupational sectors to drive forward sustained improvement around the recruitment, retention and training of older people and embed effective work force practices that include flexible work and flexible retirement opportunities.
	The Age Positive initiative itself does not commission or undertake formal research but has used evidence around age, health and employment from expert business-focused organisations such as the Health and Safety Executive; the Chartered Management Institute; the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development; and DWP commissioned research. DWP commissions a range of evidence which it publishes on its website at:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/agepositive.asp
	Evidence on the impact of the state pension age increase is in the impact assessment for the Pensions Bill. DWP Research Report 615 (“50+ back to work evidence review and indicative guide for secondary data analysis” S. Vegeris, et al, 2010) summarises research and evaluation of DWP employment initiatives for older people.

Unemployment: Young People

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment his Department has made of long-term trends in youth unemployment.

Chris Grayling: In line with the Government's economic strategy for recovery from the recession, set out in the Plan for Growth published alongside the Budget, we expect unemployment, including youth unemployment, to fall in the long-term.
	To support young people into work we are providing funding for up to 250,000 more apprenticeships over the next four years and funding for 100,000 work placements over the next two years. On 12 May 2011 the Prime Minister announced an enhanced £60 million package of support for young people, in addition to the investment made at the Budget. The new £60 million package will include:
	The launch of a new £30 million Innovation Fund which will help disadvantaged people using social finance models;
	Early access to Work Programme places for vulnerable 18-year-old people who are likely to be struggling to make the transition from education to work;
	Additional support for 16 and 17-year-old people claiming jobseeker's allowance on the grounds of hardship, including access to work experience and work clubs.

Work Capability Assessment

Yvonne Fovargue: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of Atos assessments took more than 35 days to complete (a) in Makerfield constituency and (b) England in the latest period for which figures are available.

Chris Grayling: The following information relates to April 2011, the latest period for which figures are available.
	The data relate to:
	Employment support allowance (ESA), incapacity benefit reassessment (IBR), industrial injuries disablement benefit (IIDB) and service personnel VA war pension cases (SPVA);
	Cases where Wigan Medical Examination Centre is the preferred medical examination centre (MEC) on Atos Healthcare's medical services referral system (MSRS).
	
		
			 April 2011 
			  Wigan MEC total cases Wigan MEC over 35 days % cleared over 35 days England total cases England over 35 days % cleared over 35 days 
			 ESA outputs(1) 382 161 42.1 36,619 16,204 44.3 
			        
			 Other benefit types       
			 IBR 15 0 0 1,760 0 0 
			 IIDB 9 0 0 3,193 261 8 
			 SPVA 5 1 20 491 11 2 
			 DLA (2)— (2)— (2)— 3,260 19 0.5 
			 (1) For ESA Atos Healthcare has an actual average clearance target of 35 days (this includes asking the customer to complete an ESA50 questionnaire and sending a reminder as appropriate), and then arranging and conducting an assessment if appropriate. Achievement nationally in April 11 was an average clearance time of 33 days. (2 )DLA assessments mainly carried out in customer’s own home—no data available linking to a MEC.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he plans to respond to question 10614 , on access to work, tabled on 17 July 2010 for answer on 21 July 2010.

Chris Grayling: holding answer 29 March 2011
	I replied to the hon. Member’s question on 30 March 2011, Official Report, columns 402-03W.

CABINET OFFICE

Bowel Cancer

Frank Dobson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the five-year survival rate was for (a) male and (b) female bowel cancer patients in each (i) primary care trust, (ii) cancer network and (iii) strategic health authority in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated May 2011
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what the five-year cancer survival rate was for (a) male and (b) female bowel cancer patients in each (i) primary care trust, (ii) cancer network and (iii) strategic health authority in the last 12 months for which figures are available.
	ONS publish five-year cancer survival rates for adults (aged 15-99). Survival is calculated from the date of diagnosis.
	Bowel cancer, or colorectal cancer, is cancer of the colon and rectum combined. ONS publications on cancer survival generally present figures for colon cancer rather than colorectal cancer. However, five- year colorectal cancer survival figures for England, for males and females diagnosed during 2004 - 2008 and followed up to the end of 2009, are available on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=14007
	Survival rates for bowel cancer are not available for (i) primary care trusts in England. One year survival rates for all cancers combined are available. For patients diagnosed during 1996-2006 and followed up to the end of 2007, the figures are available on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=15388
	Figures are presented for each of the 11 years from 1996 - 2006, for all adults (persons aged 15 – 99 years), persons aged 55 - 64 years and persons aged 75 - 99 years.
	The latest five-year survival figures available for (ii) cancer networks in England, for six common cancers including colon cancer, for patients diagnosed in 1991-2006 and followed up to 2007, are available on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=15387
	The results are divided into three periods: 1991 - 1995, 1996 - 2000 and 2001 - 2006.
	The latest five-year survival figures available for (iii) strategic health authorities, for eight common cancers including colon cancer, for patients diagnosed in 2001-2003 and followed up to the end of 2008, are available on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=15379

Children

Jason McCartney: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the likely change in the number of 0 to 10 year olds in (a) Yorkshire and the Humber and (b) the North East in the next 10 years;
	(2)  what the projected birth rate in (a) Yorkshire and the Humber and (b) the North East is in the next 10 years.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions asking what the projected birth rate in (a) Yorkshire and the Humber and (b) the North East is in the next 10 years (57340), and what estimate he has made of the likely change in the number of 0 to 10 year olds in (a) Yorkshire and the Humber and (b) the North East in the next 10 years. (57367)
	Estimates of future population are available as population projections. The most recent subnational population projections are based on the mid-year population estimates for 2008.
	The general fertility rate for the next ten years has been calculated using the projected number of births and population.
	
		
			 Projected general fertility rate  (1)   in Yorkshire and The Humber and the North East, 2010 to 2020 
			  Yorkshire and The Humber North East 
			 2010 61.8 59.9 
			 2011 61.9 60.1 
			 2012 62.1 60,3 
			 2013 62:6 60.7 
			 2014 63.2 61.3 
			 2015 63.8 61.8 
			 2016 64.5 62.5 
			 2017 65.0 62.9 
			 2018 65.2 63.0 
			 2019 65.1 62.8 
			 2020 64.7 62.3 
			 (1) Number of live births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44 years old Source: Office for National Statistics 
		
	
	Between mid-2010 and mid-2020, the number of children aged between 0 and 10 years old is projected to increase from 668,700 to 751,700 in Yorkshire and The Humber, an increase of 83,000, and from 312,900 to 337,500 in the North East, an increase of 24,600.
	The subnational population projections are not forecasts. They are based on demographic trends and indicate what the population of an area is likely to be if recently observed trends in fertility, mortality and migration were to continue.

Civil Servants: Recruitment

Priti Patel: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  how many complaints were received in respect of the vetting group in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many vacant posts in the civil service requiring security clearance through the provisions of the vetting group policy for (a) permanent and (b) contract positions have been advertised in each of the last five years; and how many posts required security clearance to have been already obtained in each such year;
	(3)  what reports he has received of recruitment agencies advertising for vacant posts in Government departments or public bodies that have provided incorrect information about the application process in relation to vetting in the last five years.

Francis Maude: The number of vacancies across the civil service (requiring security clearances or otherwise) is not collected centrally and would be available only at disproportionate cost. The Cabinet Office continues to receive correspondence from MPs and members of the public, and telephone queries, regarding instances of recruitment agencies specifying that an existing security clearance is required to apply for a vacancy. Officials continue to work with the Professional Contractors Group (PCG) and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) to address this problem.
	In September 2009, after discussions with the PCG, Cabinet Office established an electronic mail box for PCG members (and others) to report instances where the publicly available policy and guidance on vetting appears to have been ignored as part of the recruitment or contracting process. Since June 2010, 241 vacancy details have been forwarded to the mailbox where individuals felt that the recruiter should not have required an existing national security clearance. Officials use this information to inform their ongoing work to address this issue.

Community Matters

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what representations he has received on the participation of Community Matters in the Office for Civil Society strategic partners programme; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Hurd: I have received representations from Community Matters, some of its members and others in relation to the Office for Civil Society Strategic Partners programme. Many of these have asked for Community Matters to be reinstated as a Strategic Partner.
	While Community Matters will not be reinstated, I have asked my officials to commission the organisation to look at what big society policies and programmes mean for some of the groups it represents. This work will take place this year.

Departmental Billing

Gordon Banks: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  what mechanism his Department has established to ensure its payments are passed through the supply chain to each tier in accordance with the last date for payment defined in the Government's Fair Payment guidance;
	(2)  what mechanism his Department has established to ensure that payments made by the Prime Minister's Office are passed through the supply chain to each tier in accordance with the last date for payment defined in the Government's Fair Payment guidance.

Francis Maude: The Prime Minister's Office is an integral part of the Cabinet Office. The Cabinet Office does not have any contracts to which the Government's Fair Payment Guidance refers.

Departmental Charitable Donations

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps the Deputy Prime Minister is taking to encourage charitable giving by Ministers in his office.

Nick Hurd: All Government Ministers have pledged to undertake a ‘one day challenge’ with a charity or community group of their choice. This is a clear and public commitment by Ministers to give their time to help others. The pledge aims to inspire others to consider how they might be able to support their communities to benefit themselves, as well as their chosen organisations.

Departmental Research

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what (a) longitudinal and (b) other (i) research and (ii) collection of data his Department has (A) initiated, (B) terminated and (C) amended in the last 12 months; and what such research and data collection exercises undertaken by the Department have not been amended in that period.

Nick Hurd: This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Government Departments: Procurement

Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps he is taking to reduce (a) costs and (b) inefficiency in the Government supply chain.

Francis Maude: Firstly, we are centralising the procurement of common goods and services. For each category of spend there will be a single supply strategy so we can significantly reduce spend through aggregation, standardisation and rationalisation.
	Secondly, since July 2010 I have initiated a series of negotiations with over 50 of its major suppliers. These discussions identified and delivered savings of over £800 million in 2010-11. High level negotiations are being undertaken on a 'once for government' portfolio basis, taking account of other work to achieve savings eg the Major Projects Review, the ICT moratorium, and the curtailment of discretionary spend.
	Thirdly, the Cabinet Office has appointed a network of Crown Representatives to manage relationships with major suppliers who hold a portfolio of contracts across central Departments and ensure Government acts as a strategic 'single' client. Crown Representatives will be able to challenge suppliers where there is duplication across these contracts and spot opportunities for synergy and cost removal.
	Fourthly, to address inefficiency in the procurement process, which adds to costs for both Government and suppliers, we undertook a Lean review of the procurement process, which has suggested actions to tackle wasteful practices and unnecessary complexity. We are now engaged on an implementation programme to apply lean' thinking and techniques to a number of new projects in central Government procurement in order to test these findings to achieve time and cost savings for the benefit of both bidders and the public purse. We will roll out the new approach once the route is proven.

Government Departments: Procurement

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps he has taken to ensure that 25 per cent. of Government contracts are awarded to small and medium-sized enterprises.

Francis Maude: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friends the Member for Stroud (Neil Carmichael) and the Member for Bromsgrove (Sajid Javid) on 13 May 2011, Official Report, column 1365W.

Government Departments: Procurement

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of central government procurement processes in evaluating the ability of small and medium-sized companies to receive an appropriate share of public sector contracts.

Francis Maude: On 11 February, the Prime Minister and I announced a series of measures to make it easier for SMEs to compete for Government contracts. Details can be found on the Cabinet Office website:
	www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/news/government-opens-contracts-small-business
	In particular, we are seeking to eliminate prequalification questionnaires below a £100,000 threshold and promoting use of the SME-friendly Open Procedure above £100,000, which is being tested on 11 projects. This ensures a more-level playing field for SMEs when bidders are being evaluated.
	The Crown Commercial Representative for SMEs, Stephen Allott, is working with Departments to plan to run a series of Product Surgeries, the details of which will be announced soon. Stephen is keen to ensure that the surgeries provide a real opportunity for constructive engagement between innovative SMEs and Government and that all participants see real value in the process.
	We will be publishing, in June, central Government Departments' specific action plans detailing how they will increase the amount of their business going to SMEs. These have all been reviewed by their respective Minister or Permanent Secretary.

Government Departments: Procurement

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office with reference to the Plan for Growth, when he plans to publish a guide to public sector intellectual property procurement policy.

Francis Maude: We expect to publish the guide to public sector intellectual property procurement policy before the end of September 2011.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  how many people claiming jobseeker's allowance have a university degree;
	(2)  what proportion of those on jobseeker's allowance are under 18-years-old;
	(3)  what proportion of those on jobseeker's allowance are under 30-years-old.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated May 2011
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions asking: what proportion of those currently on Jobseeker's Allowance are under 18 years old, (057036), what proportion of those currently on Jobseeker's Allowance are under 30 years old, (057037) how many of the people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance have a university degree? (057031)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles the number of claimants of Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) from the Jobcentre Plus administrative system.
	The proportion of those claiming JSA who were under 18 years old in April 2011 was 0.4%.
	The proportion of those claiming JSA who were under 30 years old in April 2011 was 42.7%.
	The Jobcentre Plus administrative system does not hold data on educational qualifications. An alternative data source for data relating to benefits is the Annual Population Survey (APS) which also collects information regarding educational qualifications.
	From APS the number of people claiming JSA with a degree or equivalent was 128,000 (and the proportion was 10.7%) for the 12 month period October 2009 to September 2010 which is the latest period available.
	As with any sample survey, estimates from the APS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at:
	http://www.nomisweb.co.uk

Low Birthweight Babies: Peterborough

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many and what proportion of (a) low and (b) very low weight live births were recorded in the Peterborough city council area in each year since 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated May 2011
	.
	Table 1 below shows the number and percentage of all live births which were (a) low birthweight and, (b) very low birthweight in Peterborough Unitary Authority, in 2001 to 2009 (the latest year available).
	Information on live births is routinely published by different characteristics of birth and published on the Office for National Statistics website:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=1440k
	
		
			 Table 1: Number and percentage of low birthweight  (1)   and very low birthweight  (2 )  live births, Peterborough Unitary Authority, 2001-09  (3) 
			 Number/percentage of all births 
			  Low birthweight Very low birthweight 
			  Number Percentage Number Percentage 
			 2001 161 7.8 34 1.7 
			 2002 185 8.6 22 1.0 
			 2003 179 8.1 41 1.9 
			 2004 199 8.3 23 1.0 
			 2005 175 7.2 32 1.3 
			 2006 204 7.8 29 1.1 
			 2007 213 7.7 24 0.9 
			 2008 240 8.1 37 1.2 
			 2009 238 8.0 40 1.4 
			 (1) Low birthweight is defined as less than 2,500 grams. (2) Very low birthweight is defined as less than 1,500 grams. (3) Calculated as a percentage of all births for which a valid birthweight was recorded.

Lung Cancer

John Baron: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  what the five-year survival rate for (a) male and (b) female lung cancer patients (i) in each primary care trust, (ii) in each cancer network and (iii) in England was in the last five years for which figures are available;
	(2)  what the (a) one-year and (b) five-year survival rate for lung cancer in people aged (i) 49 years and under, (ii) 50 to 59 years, (iii) 60 to 69 years, (iv) 70 to 79 years and (v) 80 years and over (A) in each primary care trust, (B) in each cancer network and (C) in England was in the last five years for which figures are available.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated June 2011
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent questions asking:
	(1) What the five-year survival rate for (a) male and (b) female lung cancer patients (i) in each primary care trust, (ii) in each cancer network and (iii) in England was in the last five years for which figures are available.
	(2) What the (a) one-year and (b) five-year survival rate for lung cancer in people aged (i) 49 years and under, (ii) 50 to 59 years, (iii) 60 to 69 years, (iv) 70 to 79 years and (v) 80 years and over (A) in each primary care trust, (B) in each cancer network and (C) in England was for the last five years for which figures are available.
	ONS publish one-year and five-year cancer survival rates for adults (aged 15-99). Survival is calculated from the date of diagnosis.
	Survival rates for lung cancer are not available for (i) primary care trusts in England. One-year survival rates for all cancers combined are available. For patients diagnosed during 1996-2006 and followed up to the end of 2007, the figures are available on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=15388
	Figures are presented for each of the 11 years from 1996-2006, for all adults (persons aged 15-99 years), persons aged 55-64 years and persons aged 75-99 years.
	The latest one-year and five-year survival figures available for (ii) cancer networks in England, for six common cancers including lung cancer, for (a) male and (b) female patients diagnosed in 1991-2006 and followed up to 2007, are available on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=15387
	Figures are presented for three time periods: 1991-1995, 1996-2000 and 2001-2006, for persons aged 15-99 years.
	The latest one-year and five-year survival figures available for (iii) England, for 21 common cancers including lung cancer, for (a) male and (b) female patients diagnosed in 2004-2008 and followed up to the end of 2009, are available on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=14007&Pos=6&ColRank=1&Rank=192
	Figures are presented for all adults (persons aged 15-99 years), persons aged 15-39 years, 40-49 years, for each 10-year age group up to 70-79 years, then for 80-99 years.
	The latest figures for one-year and five-year survival for lung cancer in England, for males and females, for all ages and by age group, for (a) males and (b) females are presented in Table 1 below, with comparable figures for 2000-2004 with follow up to 2005, 2001-2006 with follow up to 2007, and 2003-2007 with follow up to 2008. Figures released prior to this were published for England and Wales combined.
	
		
			 Table 1: One-year and five-year relative survival (percentage), with 95% confidence intervals, for males and females (aged 15 to 99 years) diagnosed with lung cancer in England, by age group and period of diagnosis  (1, 2, 3, 4) 
			   One-year survival Five-year survival 
			 Sex Standardisation/age group % 95% Confidence intervals % 95% Confidence intervals 
			 Patients diagnosed during 2000-04, followed up to 2005:        
			 Men Age-standardised 26.1 25.8 26.4 6.5 6.3 6.8 
			  Unstandardised 25.2 24.9 25.5 6.3 6.1 6.6 
			  15-39 49 44 54 32 27 37 
			  40-49 33 31 35 10 9 12 
			  50-59 32 31 33 9 8 10 
			  60-69 29 29 30 8 7 8 
			  70-79 24 23 24 6 5 6 
			  80-99 16 15 17 2 2 3 
			 Women Age-standardised(4) 28.8 28.4 29.2 8.2 7.9 8.6 
			  Unstandardised 27.3 26.9 27.7 7.8 7.4 8.1 
			  15-39 52 46 57 37 31 42. 
			  40-49 39 37 41 13 11 15 
			  50-59 37 36 38 12 11 13 
			  60-69 33 32 34 10 10. 11 
			  70-79 25 25 26 6 6 7 
			  80-99 16 15 17 2 2 3 
			         
			 Patients diagnosed during 2001-06, followed up to 2007:        
			 Men Age-standardised 26.8 26.5 27.1 6.9 6.7 7.1 
			  Unstandardised 25.8 25.5 26.0 6.7 6.4 6.9 
			  15-39 50 45 54 32 28 37 
			  40-49 35 33 37 11 10 12 
			  50-59 32 31 33 9 9 10 
		
	
	
		
			  60-69 30 29 31 8 8 9 
			  70-79 25 24 25 6 5 6 
			  80-99 16 16 17 2 2 3 
			 Women Age-standardised(4) 29.9 29.6 30.3 8.7 8.5 9.0 
			  Unstandardised 28.4 28.0 28.7 8.2 7.9 8.5 
			  15-39 52 47 57 35 30 40 
			  40-49 42 40 44 15 13 17 
			  50-59 38 37 39 12 11 13 
			  60-69 35 34 35 11 10 11 
			  70-79 26 26 27 7 6 7 
			  80-99 17 16 18 3 2 3 
			         
			 Patients diagnosed during 2003-07, followed up to 2008:        
			 Men Age-standardised 27.7 27.4 28.0 7.3 7.1 7.6 
			  Unstandardised 26.6 26.3 26.9 7.0 6.8 7.3 
			  15-39 48 43 53 29 24 35 
			  40-49 36 34 38 12 10 14 
			  50-59 33 32 34 10 9 11 
			  60-69 31 30 31 8 8 9 
			  70-79 26 25 26 6 6 7 
			  80-99 17 17 18 3 2 3 
			 Women Age-standardised(4) 31.0 30.6 31.4 (5)— (5)— (5)— 
			  Unstandardised 29.3 28.9 29.7 8.7 8.4 9.0 
			  15-39 53 47 58 (5)— (5)— (5)— 
			  40-49 44 41 46 15 13 17 
			  50-59 39 38 40 13 12 14 
			  60-69 36 35 36 11 11 12 
			  70-79 27 27 28 7 7 8 
			  80-99 17 17 18 3 3 4 
			         
			 Patients diagnosed during 2004-08, followed up to 2009:        
			 Men Age-standardised 28.7 28.4 29 7.8 7.6 8.1 
			  Unstandardised 27.5 27.2 27.8 7.5 7.2 7.8 
			  15-39 50 44 55 30 25 36 
			  40-49 37 35 40 14 12 16 
			  50-59 34 33 35 10 10 11 
			  60-69 32 31 32 9 9 10 
			  70-79 27 26 27 7 6 7 
			  80-99 18 18 19 3 3 4 
			 Women Age-standardised(4) 31.9 31.5 32.3 (5)— (5)— (5)— 
			  Unstandardised 30.1 29.7 30.5 8.7 8.4 9 
			  15-39 55 49 60 (5)— (5)— (5)— 
			  40-49 44 41 46 16 14 18 
			  50-59 40 38 41 13 12 14 
			  60-69 37 36 37 11 10 12 
			  70-79 28 27 29 7 7 8 
		
	
	
		
			  80-99 18 18 19 3 3 4 
			 (1) Relative survival is the probability of survival (shown here as a percentage) after correction for other causes of death. (2) Because cancer survival varies with age at diagnosis, the summary survival estimates for all ages combined (15-99 years) have been age-standardised, where possible, to control for changes in the age profile of cancer patients over time. (3) Lung cancer is defined by the International Classification of Diseases, tenth revision (ICD-10) codes C33 and C34. (4) Confidence intervals are a measure of the statistical precision of an estimate and show the range of uncertainty around the estimated figure. As a general rule, if the confidence interval around one figure overlaps with the interval around another, we cannot say with certainty that there is more than a chance difference between the two figures. (5) It is not possible to give an age-standardised figure if there are too few patients in a given age group to provide a reliable survival estimate or if very few patients actually died in one of the intervals of time since diagnosis in which survival was estimated. That may happen because survival is very high (there are very few deaths) or because it is very low (most of the patients died).

Lung Cancer

John Baron: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  what the mortality rate for lung cancer in people aged (a) 49 years and under, (b) 50 to 59 years, (c) 60 to 69 years, (d) 70 to 79 years and (e) 80 years and over (i) in each primary care trust, (ii) in each cancer network and (iii) in England was in the last five years for which figures are available;
	(2)  what the mortality rate for (a) male and (b) female patients with lung cancer (i) in each primary care trust, (ii) in each cancer network and (iii) in England was in the last five years for which figures are available.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated June 2011
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent questions asking:
	1. What the mortality rate for lung cancer in people aged (a) 49 years and under, (b) 50 to 59 years, (c) 60 to 69 years, (d) 70 to 79 years and (e) 80 years and over (i) in each primary care trust, (ii) in each cancer network and (iii) in England was in the last five years for which figures are available. (57948)
	2. What the mortality rate for (a) male and (b) female patients with lung cancer (i) in each primary care trust, (ii) in each cancer network and {iii) in England was in the last five years for which figures are available. (57949)
	Tables 1 and 2 provide the age-standardised mortality rate per 100,000 population, where lung cancer was the underlying cause of death, for people aged (a) 49 years and under, (b) 50 to 59 years, (c) 60 to 69 years, (d) 70 to 79 years and (e) 80 years and over (i) in each primary care organisation (Table 1) and (ii) in each cancer network (Table 2) for 2005 to 2009 combined (the latest years available), Figures for individual years were combined due to small numbers of deaths in each year.
	Age-standardised rates are used to allow comparison between populations which may contain different proportions of people of different ages. It is ONS policy not to calculate age-standardised rates where there are less than 10 deaths in a group, as standardised rates based on small numbers of events are susceptible to inaccurate interpretation. Therefore, rates for 12 primary care organisations in Table 1 have not been calculated.
	Tables 3 and 4 provide the age-standardised mortality rate per 100,000 population, where lung cancer was the underlying cause of death, for people aged (a) 49 years and under, (b) 50 to 59 years, (c) 60 to 69 years, (d) 70 to 79 years and (e) 80 years and over, (iii) in England, for 2005 to 2009 combined (Table 3) and individual years (Table 4) (the latest years available).
	Tables 5 to 9 provide the age-standardised mortality rate per 100,000 population for (a) males and (b) females, where lung cancer was the underlying cause of death, (i) in each primary care organisation (Tables 5 and 6), (ii) in each cancer network (Tables 7 and 8) and (iii) in England (Table 9), for 2005 to 2009 (the latest years available).
	It is not possible from the information given at death registration to state whether the deceased was a patient at the time of death.
	Copies of Tables 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 and 8 have been placed in the House of Commons library.
	
		
			 Table 3. Age-standardised mortality rate per 100,000 population, where lung cancer was the underlying cause of death, by age group, England, 2005 to 2009 combined  (1,2,3,4,5) 
			 Rate per 100,000 population 
			   95% Confidence interval 
			 Age group Rate Lower limit Upper limit 
			 49 and under 2 2 2 
			 50-59 41 41 42 
			 60-69 129 128 131 
			 70-79 264 261 266 
			 80 and over 343 340 346 
			 (1) Age-standardised mortality rates per 100,000 population, standardised to the European Standard Population. Age-standardised rates are used to allow comparison between populations which may contain different proportions of people of different ages. (2) Confidence intervals are a measure of the statistical precision of an estimate and show the range of uncertainty around the estimated figure. Calculations based on small numbers of events are often subject to random fluctuations. As a general rule, if the confidence interval around one figure overlaps with the interval around another, we cannot say with certainty that there is more than a chance difference between the two figures. (3) Cause of death for lung cancer was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes C33-C34. (4) Figures for England exclude deaths of non-residents. (5) Figures are based on deaths registered in each calendar. 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 4. Age-standardised mortality rate per 100,000 population, where lung cancer was the underlying cause of death, by age group, England, 2005 to 2009  (1,2,3,4,5) 
			 Rate per 100,000 population 
			    95% Confidence interval 
			 Year Age group Rate Lower limit Upper limit 
			 2005 49 and under 2 2 2 
			  50-59 41 40 43 
			  60-69 130 126 133 
			  70-79 269 264 274 
			  80 and over 325 318 333 
			      
			 2006 49 and under 2 2 2 
		
	
	
		
			  50-59 43 41 45 
			  60-69 132 128 135 
			  70-79 265 260 270 
			  80 and over 336 328 343 
			      
			 2007 49 and under 2 2 2 
			  50-59 41 40 43 
			  60-69 132 129 135 
			  70-79 260 255 265 
			  80 and over 347 340 355 
			      
			 2008 49 and under 2 2 2 
			  50-59 42 41 44 
			  60-69 127 124 130 
			  70-79 266 261 271 
			  80 and over 353 345 360 
			      
			 2009 49 and under 2 2 2 
			  50-59 39 38 41 
			  60-69 126 123 129 
			  70-79 258 253 264 
			  80 and over 352 345 360 
			 (1 )Age-standardised mortality rates per 100,000 population, standardised to the European Standard Population. Age-standardised rates are used to allow comparison between populations which may contain different proportions of people of different ages. (2) Confidence intervals are a measure of the statistical precision of art estimate and show the range of uncertainty around the estimated figure. Calculations based on small numbers of events are often subject to random fluctuations. As a general rule, if the confidence interval around one figure overlaps with the interval around another, we cannot say with certainty that there is more than a chance difference between the two figures. (3) Cause of death for lung cancer was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes C33-C34. (4) Figures for England exclude deaths of non-residents. (5) Figures are based on deaths registered in each calendar. 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 9. Age-standardised mortality rate per 100,000 population, where lung cancer was the underlying cause of death, by sex, England, 2005 to 2009  (1,2,3,4,5) 
			 Rate per 100,000 population 
			   95% Confidence interval 
			 Year Rate Lower limit Upper limit 
			 Males    
			 2005 51 50 52 
			 2006 . 51 50 51 
			 2007 49 49 50 
			 2008 49 48 50 
			 2009 48 47 49 
			     
			 Females    
			 2005 29 28 29 
			 2006 30 29 30 
			 2007 30 29 30 
			 2008 30 30 31 
			 2009 30 29 30 
			 (1) Age-standardised mortality rates per 100,000 population, standardised to the European Standard Population. Age-standardised rates are used to allow comparison between populations which may contain different proportions of people of different ages. (2) Confidence intervals are a measure of the statistical precision of an estimate and show the range of uncertainty around the estimated figure. Calculations based on small numbers of events are often subject to random fluctuations. As a general rule, if the confidence interval around one figure overlaps with the interval around another, we cannot say with certainty that there is more than a chance difference between the two figures. (3) Cause of death for lung cancer was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes C33-C34. (4) Figures for England exclude deaths of non-residents. (5) Figures are based on deaths registered in each calendar.

National Income

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what proportion of the gross domestic product of the UK was produced in each region in each of the last 30 years.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated May 2011
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what proportion of the Gross Domestic Product of the UK was produced in each region in each of the last 30 years (57586).
	The Office for National Statistics does not produce regional estimates of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) but it does produce estimates of regional Gross Value Added (GVA). GVA is GDP minus taxes on products plus subsidies on products. Estimates are produced at current basic prices.
	The GVA time series began in 1989 and the latest data available are for 2009 (published in December 2010).
	The tables show the UK proportions for the English regions, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from 1989 to 2009.
	
		
			 Regional proportion of UK total GVA 1989-2009 
			 Percentage 
			  1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 
			 North East 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.7 3.7 3.7 3.6 3.5 3.5 
			 North West 10.9 10.9 10.8 10.8 10.7 10.7 10.6 10.5 10.3 10.3 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 7.7 7.7 7.7 7.7 7.6 7.6 7.6 7.6 7.6 7.5 
		
	
	
		
			 East Midlands 6.6 6.6 6.6 6.6 6.5 6.5 6.6 6.6 6.6 6.5 
			 West Midlands 8.4 8.4 8.3 8.3 8.3 8.3 8.4 8.3 8.3 8.2 
			 East of England 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.6 8.6 8.6 8.6 
			 London 18.6 18.7 18.6 18.4 18.5 18.4 18.2 18.5 18.8 19.2 
			 South East 13.3 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.5 13.6 13.7 13.8 14.0 14.2 
			 South West 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.6 7.6 7.6 
			 Wales 4.2 4.2 4.2 4.2 4.1. 4.1 4.2 4.1 4.0 3.9 
			 Scotland 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.7 8.7 8.7 8.7 8.6 8.5 8.3 
			 Northern Ireland 2.0 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.3 2.3 2.3 
		
	
	
		
			 Percentage 
			  1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 
			 North East 3.4 3.4 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.3 
			 North West 10.2 10.1 10.1 10.0 9.9 9.8 9.8 9.7 9.6 9.6 9.6 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 7.4 7.3 7.3 7.3 7.3 7.3 7.2 7.2 7.1 7.1 7.1 
			 East Midlands 6.4 6.3 6.4 6.4 6.4 6.4 6.4 6.4 6.3 6.3 6.3 
			 West Midlands 8.2 8.1 8.0 8.0 7.9 7.8 7.7 7.6 7.5 7.4 7.4 
			 East of England 8.5 8.6 8.6 8.6 8.6 8.7 8.8 8.8 8.8 8.8 8.7 
			 London 19.6 19.7 19.7 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.4 20.7 21.0 21.3 21.5 
			 South East 14.5 14.6 14.7 14.7 14.7 14.7 14.6 14.6 14.5 14.4 14.3 
			 South West 7.6 7.7 7.7 7.7 7.8 7.8 7.8 7.8 7.7 7.7 7.7 
			 Wales 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.7 3.7 3.7 3.7 3.6 3.6 3.6 
			 Scotland 8.2 8.1 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.2 8.3 
			 Northern Ireland 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 
			 Source: Regional GVA, ONS, total GVA available on the National Statistics website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_economy/GVA_NUTS1.xls

Public Sector: Co-operatives and Mutuals

Jonathan Evans: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what business support he plans to make available to those seeking to establish public service co-operatives; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Hurd: Government will invest over £10 million to fund a programme of support for some of the most promising and innovative mutuals so that they reach the point of investment readiness. The support programme also aims to stimulate the development of the mutuals concept in key public services areas in order to catalyse take up of the 'right to provide' through a variety of delivery models.
	The full programme is currently being developed. The Mutuals Information Service run by Local Partnerships, provides advice and signposting through a telephone and e-mail helpdesk, to public sector workers interested in exploring opportunities for mutualisation.

Public Sector: Co-operatives and Mutuals

Jonathan Evans: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the establishment and participation of co-operatives as a means of delivering public services on behalf of the state; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Hurd: This coalition Government are committed to giving public sector workers new rights to form employee-owned mutuals and co-operatives.
	To help drive this commitment further and faster across Government and the public sector I have established the Mutuals Taskforce chaired by Professor Julian Le Grand. The Taskforce is advising me and other ministerial colleagues about how we can best enable the success of this policy. The group includes representatives from the John Lewis Partnership; leading practitioners; and a range of expert organisations in the field. The Taskforce is considering the evidence and experience internationally, including from within the EU, on mutuals and co-operatives delivering public services.

Public Sector: Co-operatives and Mutuals

Jonathan Evans: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what assessment he has made of the sources of finance available for the capitalisation of public service mutuals; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Hurd: This coalition Government are committed to giving public sector workers new rights to form employee-owned mutuals and co-operatives.
	Government will not seek to dictate what is best for employees and the users of services, rather the precise model of mutualisation should follow from the service being provided and the requirements of the new organisation. Financing will be part of this consideration. Some may seek to form a joint venture with an existing organisation, others will seek debt financing or may look to access capital from their membership.
	These new mutuals will benefit from “Growing the Social Investment Market—a vision and strategy”, published in February 2011, opening up new finance opportunities to social ventures. They will also be able to access at least £10 million of funding to get the help they need, including support to access finance.

Taxation

Alan Whitehead: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether any levy mechanisms are (a) under and (b) awaiting consideration by the classification committee of the Office for National Statistics.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated June 2011
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking whether any levy mechanisms are a) under or b) awaiting consideration by the classification committee of the Office for National Statistics (57970).
	The National Accounts Classification Committee (NACC) makes classification decisions in line with a published protocol that is available on our website at
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/about/national_statistics/cop/downloads/NAclassification.pdf
	The proposal for a Bank Levy, contained in Part 5 of the Finance Bill 2011, was considered by NACC earlier this year, with agreement that (subject to the passage of legislation) the proceeds of the levy should be classified as a tax, coded under international national accounts guidance as D.59 'other current taxes'.
	ONS has been asked by HMT for classification decisions on a number of environmental policies that could be described as levy mechanisms. They include the "Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT)", originally introduced as the Energy Efficiency Commitment; and the "Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation", which was introduced in April 2008 using powers included in the Energy Act 2004. ONS has not yet reached a final decision on these cases.

Trade Unions

Dominic Raab: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many staff of (a) his Department, (b) Buying Solutions and (c) the Central Office of Information are entitled to work (i) full-time as trade union representatives and (ii) part-time on trade union activities; how many such staff are paid more than £25,900 annually; and what the cost to the public purse of employing such staff on such duties was in the latest period for which figures are available.

Francis Maude: There are no full time union representatives in the Cabinet Office, Buying Solutions or the Central Office of Information (COI).
	The Cabinet Office, Buying Solutions and COI allocate facility time to recognised Union representatives, as set out in the following table:
	
		
			 Organisation Total days allocated Number of TU representatives 
			 Cabinet Office 464 38 
			 Buying Solutions 100 approx 4 
			 COI Not exceeding 110 days 1 
		
	
	41 of the 43 representatives earn a salary in excess of £25,900 annually - the most junior earning in the AO range of £21,371-£24,565, and the most senior is at Director equivalent level, earning a salary in the £90-95,000 range. Only part of any individual's time is accounted for by trade union work, ranging from the equivalent of two days a week (in the case of the COI representative) to a few hours a year.

Voluntary Work

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will take steps to promote the benefits of volunteering to workers in the (a) private and (b) public sector who are to be made redundant.

Nick Hurd: On 23 May the Government published the Giving White Paper, which sets out a range of new programmes and initiatives that will encourage more people to give time and money.
	Individuals leaving the civil service as a result of redundancy will receive transition support from their Departments. Part of this support will include information on volunteering.
	To support unemployed people to volunteer the Department for Work and Pensions have created Work Together. This is a Great Britain wide initiative that aims to encourage unemployed people to consider volunteering as a way of improving their employment prospects while they are looking for work.

Well-being

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what guidance he has given to the Office for National Statistics on developing indicators to monitor the well-being and happiness of (a) adults and (b) children.

Nick Hurd: No guidance has been given to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on developing indicators to monitor the well-being of adults and children. At the invitation of the Prime Minister, ONS agreed to produce subjective measures of well-being. Government will be a key user of the information, but their production by ONS will ensure their independence.

Well-being

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what assessment he has made of any variation in wellbeing (a) within and (b) between regions and nations of the UK.

Nick Hurd: No modelling has been done within the Cabinet Office since the 2003 PMSU paper on life satisfaction on variations in well-being either within the UK or between nations. The Office for National Statistics surveys that have now commenced will have a sample size large enough to examine variations across local authority areas.

Well-being

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will evaluate research on the effects of moving house on the well-being of (a) adults and (b) children.

Nick Hurd: Cabinet Office has no plans to undertake such an evaluation.

Well-being: Children

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the trends in levels of childhood happiness and well-being in the last 30 years;
	(2)  which (a) organisations and (b) individuals his Department has consulted in drawing up its indicator for measuring the happiness and well-being of children.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated June 2011
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions asking what assessments have been made of the trends in levels of childhood happiness and well-being in the last 30 years (56726) and which (a) organisations and (b) individuals have been consulted in drawing up an indicator for measuring the happiness and well-being of children (56727).
	The ONS published a working paper entitled 'Current Measures and the Challenges of Measuring Children's Well-being' in 2009:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/article.asp?ID=2371
	as well as publishing a Focus on Children and Young People in the same year.
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=15232&Pos=&ColRank=1&Rank=272
	As part of the Measuring National Well-being (MNW) programme, the ONS has met with a range of relevant stakeholders to discuss the measurement of Children's and Young People's Well-being. This has included the Children's Society
	http://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/what-we-do/research/initiatives/well-being/publications
	the Children's Rights Commissioner, the New Economics Foundation and Rathbone. As part of the 175 events that we held during the national debate, we were also invited to a number of schools where children told us what mattered to them. At the next MNW Technical Advisory Group a range of subject matter specialists from academia, government departments and other relevant organisations will discuss this issue further. The papers from this meeting will be made available on the ONS website.
	Further information on Measuring National Well-being please visit our homepage:
	http://www.ons.gov.uk/well-being